Adroddiadau
Ebrill 02 / April 02
Reports..............
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CARMARTHEN TOWN 0 BANGOR CITY 0 This final League fixture
for both clubs had anything but an end of season look to it as Carmarthen finished
their season with a hard fought and entertaining draw against Welsh Cup
finalists Bangor City. Both sides contributing fully to a fast flowing
encounter and despite the deteriorating weather conditions both sides played
good football. Town opened with a flourish and forced a series of corners
but City most probably had the best of the early chances. Following a good
run Burgess was brought down by Johnson, Blackmore and Rowlands combined
cleverly with a well-worked free kick to outwit the Town defence, but the
final effort wet astray. At the other end Town also created chances. Wayne Jones’ effort was touched wide by
Priestly on 20’ and the keeper was lucky to see his goal survive minutes
later when having slipped and left his goal unprotected, Siôn Meredith came
agonisingly close to connecting with a Wayne Jones cross with the open goal
at his mercy. As half time approached Bangor applied pressure on the
home goal and Chris Short was unlucky with a good shot from 35 yards.
Promising youngster Owen Jones was also just wide but with things all square
at the break, it was a fair reflection of the game. The second half continued in the same vein. Hicks, who had
replaced Chapple half way through the first half, made some strong runs up
front and together with Chris Miller and John Keaveny ensured that the Bangor
defence had to concentrate fully on their task. Burgess once again posed a real threat to the home defence
but it was Steve Cooper who forced an excellent save from Town keeper Alex
Davies just on the hour. At the other end an opportunist strike by Neil
O’Brien from a full 30 yards kept Phil Priestly on his toes as did a great
strike from Lee Jones. With both sides creating numerous half chances and despite
the deteriorating weather the excellent end of season crowd were fully
entertained right up to the final whistle. Neil O’Brien and the home defence worked well as a unit
and deserved credit in ensuring that Marc Lloyd Williams did not have a
clear-cut opportunity throughout the game but it was a good all round
performance for the home side that matched Bangor in every aspect throughout
the afternoon. At the end of the game Neil O’Brien was presented with the
supporters Player of the Year Award while Tomi Morgan presented Alan Latham,
who is retiring after 25 years service to the club, with a special award on
behalf of the players. Carmarthen Town Davies, Meredith (Nicholls 72'), W.Jones, W.Thomas,
O'Brien, Barnhouse, L.Jones, Johnston, Keaveney, Chapple (Hicks 24'), Miller.
Sub not used: R.Thomas Red Cards: None.
Yellow Cards: Barnhouse 5' W.Thomas
42' Bangor City Priestley, Jones, Goodall, Rowlands (Boulton 72'),
Cooper, Short, Lloyd-Williams, Blackmore (Hazelden 82'), P.Roberts, Davies,
Burgess. Sub not used: C.Roberts Red Cards: None.
Yellow Cards: P.Roberts 34' Priestley
45' Crowd 432 Referee P. Thomas CARMARTHEN TOWN 1 HAVERFORDWEST
COUNTY 2 The local derby lived up
to it’s billing in terms of excitement and competitiveness and Town’s generosity
of the previous two seasons towards their near neighbours continued as two
defensive errors, capitalised on by former Town players Summers and Adams,
gave the Bluebirds three valuable points in their fight to stay above the
relegation placings. With both sides playing committed football Town had the
best of the opening exchanges with Keaveny and Miller causing problems in the
Haverfordwest defence despite the commitment of Jason Price and Eston
Chiverton in the Haverfordwest defence. It was a full half hour before the
Bluebirds exerted pressure on the home goal from a series of set pieces. Chris Miller came closest to opening the scoring in the 38th.
minute when he and Keaveny combined well in front of goal but unfortunately
Miller’s final effort went just over. Town took the lead on
40’ when Keaveny continued his rich vein of form. A Shaun Chapple free kick
into the box was initially blocked by Price but the ball fell to Keaveny who
placed it well into the corner passed the unsighted Blain. Haverfordwest responded immediately with a move upfield
that was capped by an excellent shot from Craig Thomas that went just over.
But the visitors did equalise in injury time when a defensive mix-up conceded
a needless corner. From the resulting set piece a goalmouth scramble ensued
and Chris Summers was able to poach a goal against his former club to
equalise. The second half saw Town create some early chances but the
equaliser gave the visitors confidence and they looked more purposeful with
Richie Adams and David Watts having several good runs. On the hour an innocuous free kick by Adams from out right
near to the touchline bounced awkwardly between O’Brien and Alex Davies in
the home goal and somehow finished in the back of the home goal much to the
delight of the sizable Haverfordwest contingent who were also following
proceedings at Oswestry. Town came back well and went in search of the equaliser
and this nearly came in spectacular fashion five minutes later when a superb
overhead kick by Ryan Nicholls from a Siôn Meredith cross hit the bar and
bounced to safety. Having taken the lead the Bluebirds played with far more
confidence and although Town exerted considerable pressure they seemed to
neglect the wider options and continued to go up the middle of the field
where Price and Chiverton were able to dominate. In the closing minutes as Town threw everything into
attack Haverfordwest could have increased their lead further when a break up field
saw a fiercely struck shot by Craig Thomas hit the upright. A disappointing result for Town especially as Connah’s
Quay lost at Oswestry but that result also maintains the anxiety for
Haverfordwest despite their win this evening. Carmarthen Town Davies, Meredith (Hicks 84'), L.Jones (W.Jones 67'),
Thomas, O'Brien, Barnhouse, Nicholls, Johnston, Keaveney, Chapple, Miller.
Sub not used: Fayers Red Cards: None. Yellow Cards:None Haverfordwest County P.Blain, Parselle (Smith 84'), Brace, Heall, Chiverton,
J.Price, Summers, Watts, Adams, Thomas, Billing (D.Blain 46'[Roberts 59'])) Red Cards: None.
Yellow Cards: Civerton 34' Billing 42' Referee P. R. Southall Crowd 527 CARMARTHEN TOWN 5 RHAYADER TOWN 0 A five goal bonanza gave Town an excellent win over bottom
of the table Rhayader Town. The comprehensiveness of the win was reflected by
the fact that Alex Davies, in the home goal, did not have to make a single
save throughout the game. Town opened the account in the 6th. minute when
Dean Johnston glanced home a header from a Shaun Chapple corner. Previous to
this John Keaveny had come close within the first minute but his effort went
wide. Although Town dominate proceedings they were unable to add
their goal tally in the first half, attributed more to Town’s failure to
capitalise on their chances that to Rhayader’s defensive qualities. However, Town came out in the second half in a far more
focused mood, playing some neat football and it was not long before they
increased the lead. A Ryan Nicholls’ cross into the box from the left was
initially half hit by Keaveny but his second attempt found the back of the
net on 51’. Town’s third on 65’ came following a quickly
taken short corner. As the ball waas put across the penalty area an audacious
back heel by Neil O’Brien found the back of the net. Rhayader began to wilt
and Town with their tails up increased the lead further in the 71 minute when
Shaun Chapple, who was influential all afternoon, played the ball out from
deep. His long ball found Ryan Nicholls who took it right into the corner.
Nicholls’ well placed cross was met by the onrushing Dean Johnson who blasted
into the net for his second goal. Having created chances for everyone else all afternoon
Chapple finally got on the score sheet on 80 minutes when his fiercely hit
shot from the edge of the box gave Carl Mounty in the Rhayader goal little
chance. A good win for Town with a scoreline reflected their
superiority and highlighted the difficulties that Rhayader have had all
season. But despite the win a lucrative Premier Cup placing looks a long
shot. Referee Southall had few problems to deal with all
afternoon but it was interesting how he handled the very competitive tussle
between Town defender Wyn Thomas and Rhayader forward Steve Mardenborough
with humour and common sense. Carmarthen Town Davies, Meredith (W Jones 90', L.Jones, Thomas,
O'Brien, Barnhouse, Nicholls, Johnston, Keaveney (Hicks 77'), Chapple (Fayers
80'), Miller. Red Cards: None.
Yellow Cards: W.Thomas 42' Rhayader Town Mounty, Bishop, Evans, McPhee, Sellers(C Williams 5'),
C.Morgan, Hughes,Mardenborough, Bannon, Loss(Morgan 67'), Hammonds. Sub not
used: N.Williams. Red Cards: None.
Yellow Cards: Evans 24' Referee P. R. Southall. Crowd 312 CARMARTHEN TOWN 3 CAERSWS FC 0 Goals in
the 13th. 60th. and 64th minute gave striker John Keaveny a well taken
hat-trick and paved the way for a much needed win in Town’s quest to secure a
top eight position and Premier Cup football next season. Following Town’s
recent tired form the win will restore some confidence and hopefully provide
the basis for a positive to end the season With Town
again being forced to make changes they made a positive start to the game
with early chances for Chris Miller (who has slotted into a midfield role)
and Tim Hicks. John Keaveny up front was also very busy and Town took the
lead in the 13th. minute
when Wyn Thomas’ well timed pass split the Caersws defence to put
Keaveny clear and the young striker made no mistake with a powerful shot from
just inside the penalty area. Cardiff
referee Ray Ellingham, who generally let the game flow, turned down Town’s
early appeal for a penalty when Tim Hicks was bundled over in the area but
Carmarthen continued to dominate with the forwards making good runs and
creating chances. As Town pressed forward Meredith dispossessed the Cearsws
defence to feed Keaveny on 40’ but his finishing shot was just wide of the
upright. A couple of minutes later the same combination saw Keaveny crowded
out in the penalty area with the Caersws defence able to clear the danger. In a rare
attack on the Carmarthen goal a quickly taken free kick by Graham Evans (who
had a quiet game) was well anticipated by keeper Alex Davies. Alert to the
danger he saved well with his defence still in the process of to organising
themselves. Town took a deserved 1-0 lead into the break. Town
started the second half indifferently and found themselves under pressure of
their own making with poor clearances from defence. But having got back on
track a well-timed chipped pass over the defence by Shaun Chapple found
Keaveny on side and on a diagonal run and again the striker put the ball
passed the keeper make it 2-0 on the hour. With Town
well in command and the home support beginning to anticipate a win Keaveny
completed his hat-trick on 64 minutes. Chris Miller, who is relishing his mid
field role, won the ball strongly in the middle of the park and put he
striker clear with a well judged pass. Keaveny’s powerful shot gave Matthew
Griffiths no chance in the Caersws goal. Caersws
did have a late flourish and Alex Davies in the home goal, who had been a
spectator for most of the game, was kept on his toes by a snap shot from Andy
Marfell, which he tipped over the bar on 70’. Marfell again forced Davies
into another fine save five minutes later when he connected with a fine
header. Late in
the game Sean Jehu nearly brought a consolation goal for the visitors with a
well-taken corner from the right that flashed across the face of the Town
goal to which the Caersws attack failed to connect. With the danger cleared
Town concentrated on keeping a clean sheet. Town’s defence, well marshalled
by Neil O’Brien, where on top form all afternoon and quickly closed down the
Caersws attack. A good
win for Town that will restore some confidence and provides the possibility
of a positive run-in to the season’s
end. The score line an accurate reflection of the game. Carmarthen TownA.Davies, Meredith, W.Jones (I.Davies 7'), W.Thomas,
O'Brien, L.Jones, Miller (Fayers 69'), Nicholls, Keaveney, Chapple, Hicks
(S.Davies 85'). Red Cards: None.
Yellow Cards: Nicholls 29' Caersws FC Matt Griffiths,Thomas,Jehu, A.Griffiths, Clarke
(Richards 71'), D.Williams, Howells, Marfell, Evans, Hamer (Griffiths 71'),
A.Davies. Sub not used: Fletcher Red Cards: None.
Yellow Cards:None Referee
R J Ellingham. Crowd
391. LLANELLI AFC 1 CARMARTHEN TOWN 0 A 34th. minute goal was enough to give Llanelli
three very valuable points at Stebo this afternoon putting a little daylight
between them and the bottom two clubs. Despite the importance of the game to
both sides there was little edge to the play but with Town enjoying the
majority of the possession both sets of strikers contrived to squander a hat
full of chances. Llanelli’s defence looked very shaky and with plenty of
chances one felt that it was just time before Town scored. But the signs of
another frustrating day were there when Hicks missed a good opportunity in
the 33rd. minute. Keavely was put through and Ben Miles in the
Llanelli gaol did well to parry his point blank shot. The ball fell to the
onrushing Hicks who the hit it wide of the empty goal. Llanelli too had chances and looked dangerous on the
break. Opportunities fell to Nicky Palmer, who looked the most influential
Llanelli player, and Platt who was denied by Alex Davies at point blank
range. Earlier Town had managed to get the ball into the net
following good work by Miller but Mr. Ellingham who had clearly seen old
footage of the Maradona ‘Hand of God’ incident disallowed the goal and booked
Keavely for the use of his hand. Following Hick’s miss Llanelli broke up field and in
clearing the danger Town were dispossessed out on the left when trying to
play the ball out of defence. Chris Thomas was not closed down and able to
put a ball across Town’s defence for Platt to stick it in the back of the net
to give the Reds a half time lead. The second half was much the same. Town enjoyed a great
deal of the possession but gave it away cheaply for Llanelli to counter
attack with Mainwearing and Dickeson having good runs. Llanelli’s best move
came from Mainwearing, Dickerson and Thomas combining well in a sweeping move
up the left only to let down by poor finishing. Hurlin had a chance with
keeper Davies stranded off his line but his shot went wide of the empty goal.
As the game went on Town piled on the pressure with
efforts seemingly going just wide or just over. Ben Miles pulled off a couple
of excellent saves, the best being a point blank shot from Ryan Nicholls. For Town, Neil O’Brien despite being most probably the oldest
player on the pitch was influential but despite battling hard and with a
couple of key players (Barnhouse & Johnston) missing through injury Town
looked tired. For Llanelli Warton, Palmer and Chris Thomas stood out Town’s disappointing form continues. Possibly the early
season European adventure, numerous cup games and injuries have made it too
long season for what is essentially a small squad. Llanelli on the other hand
will be grateful for a little breathing space having eased their relegation worries.
Llanelli AFC
Miles, Palmer, Hurlin, Chris Thomas, Healy, Wharton,
Rickard, Maclean, Plant, Mainwaring, Dickeson. Subs not used: Hill, Devonald,
Williams Red Cards: None.
Yellow Cards:None Carmarthen Town A.Davies, Meredith, L.Jones, W.Thomas, O'Brien,
W.Jones, Miller, Nicholls (Fayers 84'), Keaveney, Chapple, Hicks. Subs not
used: I.Davies, R.Thomas Red Cards: None.
Yellow Cards: Keaveney 25' Attendance 460 Referee
R. J. Ellingham |