14.02.09 Carmarthen Town 3 Bangor City 1

Delighted with the win what pleased the manager most was the way his side approached the second half. “We really had a ruthless streak about us. We put them under pressure and when things didn’t go our way we just kept building the attacks and building the momentum until eventually it came”.

“In a golden fifteen minute period we got three which was great. That was pleasing. After the stop start of the first half when we had the incident and accident the boys showed great character to keep their focus and get the result”.

What was the managers thoughts when his captain missed the penalty? “Just don’t panic. It wasn’t as if we had to get ourselves into the game we were already in it. I thought they had a well taken goal but it was very, very close. I thought it was unfortunate that we were behind. It was a case of being patient and build through the phases”.

Brace explained the half time change? “At half time we felt that we needed to have more of a presence going forward and to get everybody to believe a little bit more. Because of the stoppage and the way things went after the restart it had become a little bit of a nothing game. They were trying to see it out and we were allowing them to. We needed to up the tempo, we needed to put them under pressure so that they made mistakes in areas that we could make the most of it and Hicksey was relishing getting on the pitch after a little break.”

With 20 minutes to go Town made a second tactical switch. “The other switch which I felt was probably more crucial was moving Kris Thomas to the free role and getting the other boys to mark their danger men allowing Kris to bring balls forward and it worked a treat with the first goal. Les Davies has fouled Kris after a good 50 yard run and the ball in to the box has produced Nicky Palmer’s goal.”

“There were some big performances today. Nicky Palmer and Paul Fowler were instrumental and quietly efficient. They got on top of their men which gave us a stranglehold. Guppy just gives us so much pleasure. Not just with his goal scoring but with the way he brings the ball in and holds it up he gives everybody that extra yard to get in touch”.

“Doddsey’s put in another fantastic shift. It is expected because we know he’s got that in him. At the moment he’s got the bit between the teeth and he’s looking very much the player we signed and Stuart (Roberts) who came back into the side today gave us that little bit extra in crucial times because he knows the game inside out. Sacha wasn't dropped because he's been playing poorly he's done fantastically well but we felt it was right to bring Stuart in because we felt that this was the game that people like Stuart Roberts come to the fore".

"It's also important to have a strong bench not just in terms of firepower. They are all good players that can fit into many positions which, as a bench, is what you need".

Deryn's Dugout