25.04.09 Caernarfon Town 1 Carmarthen Town 3

A Craig Hughes hat-trick saw Town sign off the season with a win and a 62 point tally, the highest Richmond Park total since season 1999-2000. If Hughes’ left footed shot from the edge of the box had given Town a deserved early opener on the five minute mark, Daley Corey’s leveller from 35 yards five minutes later looked a hot favourite for any goal-of-the-season competition.

Manager Deryn Brace told the Journal, “Delighted to finish the season on a high note. It’s difficult; this was our second long away trip in four days and we got what we wanted in terms of finishing in fourth place on Tuesday night. With Caernarfon already relegated they had nothing to lose and what did we have to gain? But I wanted a professional attitude going into the game and the boys gave it to me and we got a fairly decent performance and in the end a comfortable win”.

“I think to top sixty points was quite a significant landmark. I think for the boys to get the sixty two was a huge achievement. It’s the highest total since 1999 – 2000 season and I think it’s also a measure of how we have improved that we topped the Fair Play League as well”.

With Neil Smothers restored and young Oliver Hewitt-Fisher given his first senior start Town kicked off with pace and energy as they boxed the hosts in. With Hughes opening his account early and then minutes later narrowly missing a second, hitting the upright, it looked as if Town would make the most of the end of season sunshine.

But the Cymru-Alliance bound hosts, having won well in mid week and gained confidence following Corey’s sweetly struck long distance strike, looked anything but a relegated outfit. It took a triple block off the line, two by Richard Hughes, to deny the Cofis’ the lead just after the twenty minute mark as they competed well for possession with Khyle Sampson and Ashley Ruane both sharp and troublesome.

Earlier Tim Hicks’ had sent his header straight at keeper Lee Guinion and after Olli Fisher saw his strike from a short corner parried by the keeper, Lee Hudgell fired his follow-up wide of the mark. Corey looked to have added a second for the Cofis just before half time but was adjudged to have fouled the advancing Neil Thomas and when Hughes scuffed his clearance minutes later Corey again failed to finish and it remained all square at the break.

Following the resumption Town regained the initiative. Hudgell produced a trademark break down the left and having pulled the ball back Hicks’ clever flick in front of goal found Hughes for the front man to side foot in his brace on 53 minutes.

But with Michael Jackson influential at the back Caernarfon retained possession well for periods forcing a series of free kicks. But following a break from deep substitute Stuart Roberts’ side footed effort was saved by the keeper before Hughes added a third when Neil Thomas’ long free kick was redirected by the sub for Hughes to nail-on the win for Town.

Having joined in January Hughes’ eleven strikes makes him Town’s top scorer and manager Deryn Brace, who made a last minute sub appearance, will be pleased with both of the week's North Wales wins to round off a successful campaign.

Caernarfon Town : Guinion, Molyneux, Glendenning (Smith 57'), A Jackson, M Jackson, Grice, Carroll, Sampson, Ruane, Corey, Rudkin. Subs not used: Courtney, Dawes.

Carmarthen Town : N Thomas, R Hughes, Hudgell (Brace 88'), Palmer, Dodds, Thomas, Hewitt-Fisher (Roberts 60'), Hicks (Horwood 70'), C Hughes, Smothers, Cotterrall. Attendance: 93 Referee: Mike Jones.

21.04.09 Prestatyn Town 1 Carmarthen Town 2

A goal in each half from mid-fielders Ben Morris and Nicky Palmer secured a deserved fourth place finish to the season for Town following an arduous, mid week, trek to North Wales. But Town were made to withstand some considerable late pressure when the prominent Ian Griffiths reduced the deficit for the hosts with four minutes remaining.

Manager Deryn Brace said. 'It was a very pleasing to win and to secure fourth place. I thought we were very competitive and positive. It’s difficult following a long mid week journey at this stage of the season. We created some good chances, showed good energy and in the last five minutes defended well to see out the game. The youngsters came in and it was great to see them do well'.

In a competitive and evenly balanced opening Griffiths made his presence felt for the hosts and with Nicky Palmer driving through the middle for Town both sets of defences had to be alert to snuff out the danger in this entertaining encounter.

Griffiths sent a raking shot across Town’s goal on the quarter hour and ten minutes later Jack Lewis’ floated free kick somehow evaded both defence and attack to go narrowly wide of the mark.

Following the half hour mark Town looked to get the upper hand. Lee Hudgell sent his curling free kick narrowly over before his second set piece, minutes later, was headed against the woodwork by Tim Hicks. But with Gareth Davies and Alec Williams breaking dangerously Town’s back line were kept on their toes.

With half time approaching Town pressure forced a series of corners and with Morris applying the final touch, following a goal mouth scramble, for his first goal in senior football Town made the breakthrough they had threatened.

Following the resumption Williams’ weaving run up field taunted Town’s defence before Palmer gave Town the cushion they needed. Just after the hour Prestatyn struggled to clear following a Town throw in and with the ball falling to Palmer he volleyed in from outside the box to make it 2-0. Keeper John Dent then did well to deny Chris Thomas who had also provided well for Hicks minutes earlier and with Town fielding four academy products young sub Ollie Fisher sent his early strike just wide of the upright.

Alex Squires replaced Morris and with the hosts pushing forward Griffiths finished Steve Holts’ corner well to set up a tense finale. And with the fourth official signalling three minutes of time-added-on Neil Thomas did well at his near post to keep out a late leveller from Michael Parks.

Town will look to maintain their final flourish when they travel to Caernarfon Town on Saturday where a final day win will give Brace the highest points tally since season 1990-00.

Prestatyn Town: Dunt, A Davies (Jenkins 77'), Lewis, Hayes, Duffy, Hannen, Williams (C Davies 50'), Parker, G Davies (Murray 69'), Griffiths, Hoult Subs not used: Woodfine, Dustain.

Town: N Thomas, R Hughes, Hudgell, Palmer, Dodds, C Thomas, Roberts (Hewitt-Fisher 75'), Hicks, C Hughes, Morris (Squires 80'), Cotterrall. Sub not used: Deryn Brace. Attendance: 173 Referee: Kevin Parry

18.04.09 CARMARTHEN TOWN 0 NEWTOWN AFC 0

Looking to cement a fourth place finish to the season Town came up against a very dogged and miserly Newtown outfit who’ denied the hosts the three points they needed.

Despite creating a hat full of chances and subjecting the visitors to long periods of pressure Town couldn't quite break down Newtown's stubborn resistance as the Robins repelled a steady stream of Town attacks.

Town manager Deryn Brace told the Journal. “I couldn’t ask more of my players. We just needed an end product. In all honesty I thought Sacha scored a perfectly good goal but it was disallowed”.

“In terms of bouncing back from Sunday’s semi final I thought we did as well as we could without a few key players. The youngsters came in and again they did well. We now need another point from the two remaining games for fourth place”.

In an entertaining end of season encounter both sides were weakened by injury and suspension and with Town dominating from the off the Richmond Park outfit could have been well ahead at the break. But Town somehow failed to turn possession and pressure into goals and could quite easily have conceded as the Robins broke dangerously from defence.

Stuart Roberts' vicious early volley was turned round the post by in-form Newtown keeper Dave Jones and before the ten minute mark the sharp looking Roberts turned provider for Jamie Horwood who put his effort just wide of the upright.

E H factors & Clothing sponsored Carmarthen Town played with pace and energy limiting the visitors to sporadic break outs from deep but Sacha Walters should have done better on 25 minutes when he somehow missed an open goal after Nathan Cotterrall penetrated on the flank and had floated a perfect cross.

Town lost Neil Smothers and Nicky Palmer early through injury and it took a vital finger tip touch from Neil Thomas to deny Richard Evans' vicious drive after Newtown had broken well down the right.

On the stroke of half time Town looked to have made the breakthrough but Walters was flagged off-side having netted Tim Hicks' rebounding header off the woodwork. On another day the wingman could well have bagged a hat-trick as his turn and shot also went just wide of the mark.

Following the break Newtown had their best spell of possession. Captain Craig Hutchinson, Nicky Ward and Craig Moses linked well to create one of the best moves of the game. But Moses' final ball was superbly finger tipped over by Thomas who late on denied Moses again when the front man could well have stolen the result for Newtown.

Tyrone McFadden was prominent for the visitors but Town soon regained composure with Jones in frequent action to match Town's threat. Shane Sutton's block kept out Chris Thomas' volley following Roberts' break down the left and it took a vital goal saving interception from Craig Williams to deny Thomas a second time minutes later.

With Town penning in the visitors Jones's reactions denied Horwood and with Ben Morris' acrobatic overhead effort going narrowly over Town changed formation in an effort to unlock Newtown's defensive resolve.

Mark Dodds switched up front and with Horwood and Roberts playing wide they provided options but Newtown continued to defend doggedly before escaping the stranglehold periodically and sending Town scurrying back to cover the breakout. Then with seven minutes remaining Town's defence opened up in front of Moses and it took a reaction two footed save from Thomas to keep out the striker who moments later somehow spurned an open goal.

With Jones saving a late effort from Hicks it remained honours even and both sides settled for a share of the late season spoils. Town now need one point from this week’s two North Wales fixtures to secure fourth place.

In midweek Town travel to Prestatyn Town and on Saturday are in North Wales again when they take on  relegated Caernarfon Town in the final fixture of the season.
 
Town: N Thomas, Hancock, Roberts, Palmer (R Hughes 35'), Dodds, C Thomas, Walters, Hicks, Horwood, Smothers (Morris 26'), Cotterrall Sub not used : Brace.

Newtown: Jones, Worton (Mitchell 77'), McFadden, Sutton, Thomas, Jellicoe, Williams, Hutchinson, Evans (Lewis 67'), Moses, Ward Sub not used :Ryan. Referee Neil Morgan Attendance 301.

WelshCup Semi Final @ New Bridge Meadow
CARMARTHEN TOWN 2 ABERYSTWYTH TOWN 3 (AET)

Having battled to overturn Geoff Kellawy’s first half brace there was no final appearance for Town as they succumbed to an extra time winner from veteran defender Aneurin Thomas who secured Aberystwyth’s first Welsh Cup final appearance in 109 years.

Returning from injury Geoff Kellaway gave Aberystwyth a 2-0 advantage at the break. But with the 10 man Richmond Park outfit fighting back magnificently goals from substitute Lee Hudgell and a stoppage time volley from mid fielder Nicky Palmer levelled the score-line forcing extra-time.

In an enthralling, incident and action packed game a very poor decision from soon to retire referee Phil Southall saw Paul Fowler dismissed on 37 minutes as he challenged Bari Morgan for the ball.  Town fans were frustrated that an earlier rash challenge on Stuart Roberts had gone unpunished and later a two footed lunge, by Thomas, on sub Jamie Horwood also went unpunished.

Kellaway had given Aberystwyth the lead somewhat against the run of play on 25 minutes when he touched home Christian Edwards’ mistimed effort from a deep Thomas free-kick. Aber then doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time when Kellaway again provided the final touch. This time to a through-ball from front man Graham Evans.

Five minutes after the hour sub Lee Hudgell, who had replaced the injured Neil Smothers at the break, gave Town some reward for their considerable endeavour and perseverance when he tucked away Nathan Cotterrall's through ball. And with the game deep into stoppage time the come-back was completed when Palmer forced extra time after he volleyed home a back-to-goal knock down from Horwood following a surging run from Mark Dodds.

Extra time saw Neil Thomas deny sub Tom Bradshaw before Thomas headed in Chris Venables’ corner for what proved to be the winner and a cup final appearance for the Seasiders against cup holders Bangor City.

A bitterly disappointed Deryn Brace was full of praise for his players. “Yes it’s a bitter disappointment but I could not have asked more from my players. The effort that every individual has made has been outstanding. Their energy, passion and commitment was fantastic and the way we came back in the second half I thought was magnificent.”

“It’s now a case of lifting ourselves. At the moment we feel very sorry for ourselves. We will naturally put it down to a certain decision but we now have a three game season to focus on and we need to go out on a high. Fourth place is in our own destiny. We will make every effort to secure it”.

Of the sending off he added. “It wasn’t the reason we lost the game but it certainly did cost us because everyone knows that Paul Fowler is a very influential player for us. We lost because of two poorly defended set pieces. The referee might say that he made an honest decision but I'm sorry that’s not good enough anymore. We have been on the wrong end of two very poor decisions in recent cup games. The last one, luckily, did not actually cost us but this one is different.

“I’ve been in this League almost fifteen years and this season I have been confused, puzzled and annoyed by the attitude of some officials. I think it’s fair to say we have been very harshly treated. I would like someone to explain some of the decisions and  answer some of my questions.”

“We were so dominant before the first goal and the sending off. But I’ve said it before it’s our inability to defend set pieces that has cost us. The subs gave us a huge impact and all three did really, really well. I think Hudgell’s runs from deep were impressive. Sacha always causes problems and I think Jamie Horwood has been the find of the season. There was no way anyone could question our commitment today.

Brace will now turn his attentions to Town's three remaining games as he looks to ensure a fourth place finish to the current campaign.

Aberystwyth : Roberts, S James, K James, Thomas, Edwards, G Hughes, Venables, Morgan, Evans (Tom Bradshaw 72'), G Hughes (R Evans 64'), Kellaway. Sub not used: Reynolds.

Town: N Thomas, R Hughes, Smothers (Hudgell 46'), Palmer, Dodds, K Thomas, Roberts, T Hicks (Horwood 62'), Fowler, C Hughes, Cotterrall (Walters 79'). Attendance:  786       Referee: Phil Southall

07.04.09 Carmarthen Town 1 Llanelli AFC 4

With the game very competitive for an hour early substitute Fellows opened the scoring for the Reds on 13 minutes. Roberts replied for Town just before the half hour but in a tight game Thomas gave the visitors the edge just before the break.

A double strike around the hour broke Town's resistance with Evans and then Griffiths making it comfortable for the Reds. With both sides making changes the win puts Llanelli within two points of leaders Rhyl.

Manager Deryn Brace will be relieved that all of Town's players came through unscathed and will now turn his attentions to Sunday's semi final at the New Bridge Meadow.

Town: Evans, R Hughes, Hudgell, Morris, Hancock, C Thomas, Walters ( Hewitt- Fisher 69'), Hicks, Horwood, Smothers (Squires 75'), Roberts ( May 64') Subs not used: Brace, E Thomas.

Llanelli AFC: Morris, Holland, Legg ( Loyd 65'), Mumford, Jones, Thomas, Evans (Smitham 80'), Corbisiero ( Follows 7'), Griffiths, Holloway, Pritchard. Subs not used: Morris, John Attendance: 462 Referee: Wayne Tregonning

04.04.09 Carmarthen Town 1 NEWI Cefn Druids 0

Young substitute Jamie Horwood’s well taken strike eight minutes from time gave Town a deserved three points that puts an end to a three game barren run and opened up a five point gap over fifth placed Bangor City.

With Town having made all the running and missed a penalty in the process it looked as if Druids might survive the considerable pressure to grind out a share of the spoils. But having replaced Sacha Walters just after the hour Horwood's first touch of Lee Hudgell's ball was magnificent as he took it away from the defender. And having split the defence the youngster ran through to round the keeper and net confidently from an acute angle.

Manager Deryn Brace was delighted to see his side get back to winning ways. "Obviously we needed a big response after last week's defeat and we got it. I felt it was a ninety minute performance where we dominated virtually all and every facet of the game. People thought Druids would turn us over because they are the form team. I'm really, really delighted with the character of the players. Once again they’ve shown that they can never be written off".

And Brace was equally delighted with his young striker’s touch that produced the goal. “It was a really positive touch that fed through the gap and set him up really. He showed composure to net from a difficult angle. We’re really pleased with Jamie he’s done great these last few months”.

“Whereas in the last two or three games I don’t think anybody really played well, today I think everybody stepped up to the mark. We worked hard in training on Wednesday to change and refined a few things which worked a treat today. I think we fully deserved it today".

Mark Aizlewood agreed. “I think we would have been pleased just to win the game irrespective of the performance, but I actually thought we had some decent performances today. We asked them to show some commitment and honesty about the things we asked them to do and I felt they did that".

With both Mark Dodds and Liam Hancock suspended Neil Smothers partnered Richard Hughes in the middle of defence and Druids, who were without the influential Kevin Holsgrove, looked to extend their six game undefeated run.

Town showed their commitment from the whistle with most of the early exchanges being played in Druids' half. Craig Hughes' persistence saw the front man weave a way through on six minutes but with Druids defending in numbers his shot went into the side netting. But it was Druids who spurned the first clear cut chance on twenty minutes when Lee Evans' free kick was headed against the upright by Geraint Lewis from six yards.

On the half hour mark the Druids goal somehow survived a triple onslaught when Hughes again persisted only to see his shot parried by Ged McGuigan and with Nicky Palmer's follow up also beaten away by the keeper Walters somehow put the final effort over. Despite considerable dominance Town couldn't quite produce the end product their play deserved and it remained it all square at the break.

Following the resumption Town continued to dominate. Palmer did well on the hour but could not quite connect with Tim Hicks' clever return back heel. And with Druids captain Mark Powell and defenders Dan Barnett and Aled Rowlands influential at the back they put in vital interceptions and touches to keep Town out and launch danger man Ricky Evans on the counter.

McGuigan got a strong hand to Craig Hughes' shot after Horwood had slipped the ball through and with a quarter hour remaining Nathan Cotterrall out stripping the defence down the left but Horwood, who was looked quite threatening, put the last touch wide after Hudgell had fed the forward.

Josh Griffiths blasted over for Druids having picked up on a hesitant Town clearance and with the pressure mounting on the visitors Hudgell was brought down in the box and Town looked to have a golden opportunity to break the deadlock. But with McGuigan getting his foot to Craig Hughes' spot kick and with Horwood putting the follow-up wide Town's chance passed and the stalemate continued.

With ten minutes remaining a speculative long range effort from Evans crashed off Town's upright before McGuigan again denied Town with a double save. First parrying Palmer's shot and then blocking out Hudgell's follow-up before Horwood finally sealed the outcome in Town’s favour.

With Town forcing a series of late corners in search of a second Hughes battled into the box. But despite the ball crashing against the upright the Richmond Park outfit gained a well deserved confidence boosting win that will put them in good spirit ahead of Sunday’s Welsh Cup Semi-Final against Aberystwyth Town. KO at the New Bridge Meadow is at 2.10 pm.

Town: N Thomas, Hughes, Hudgell (Hewitt-Fisher 90'), Palmer, Smothers, C Thomas, Walters (Horwood 62'), Hicks (Roberts 72'), Fowler, C Hughes, Cotterall Sub not used: Brace.

Druids: McGuigan, Phillips, Rowlands, Griffiths, Barnett, Jones, Taylor, Powell, Lewis, Evans, Price Subs not used: Hesp, Stewart. Referee Andy Harms Attendance 320