03.04.10 CPD PORTHMADOG 1 CARMARTHEN TOWN 4

Having gone behind to a Siôn Meredith opener on the quarter hour Town came back strongly and, in the end, ran out comfortable winners. Craig Hughes levelled just before the break with his first goal of the season and six minutes after the resumption Danny Thomas headed Town ahead.

Just after the hour Sacha Walters, who had come on for the injured Paul Fowler on sixteen minutes, gave Town some daylight when he finished Hughes’ excellent service and with Dale Griffiths opening his Town account with seven minutes remaining the defender put the game beyond the hosts to give Town a full quota of points.

Manager Deryn Brace felt he had a positive response from his players following last week’s criticisms. “Definitely so the score line says it all and perhaps we could have scored a few more. The performance was certainly deserving of the result.

“I thought we were on top from start to finish although Porthmadog always made it a difficult game I felt the players had that hunger to get the result today”.

“All-round it was a good team performance especially second half where everyone stuck together. It was great to see Guppy get his first goal of the season and you could see the spark it gave him”.

“Really pleased for Sacha whose had to come on early. It’s important for people to come off the bench and give us that spark. We’ve not always managed it this season but Sacha did it today in an extremely positive fashion. He fully deserved his goal and has given me food for thought for Monday night”.

Neil Smothers returned from suspension to partner Griffiths at the back and Town were also boosted by the return of Fowler, only to see the influential midfielder limp off just after the opener. Tim Hicks moved into the middle and Walters, who had a good game throughout, provided pace on the flank. Young Port forward Cai Jones provided a threatening outlet for the hosts and with Robert Evans and Chris Jones coming close on a couple of occasions the hosts had the better of the opening exchanges.

Hughes should have shown more composure with his volleyed effort and, on the half hour mark, his header off a Walters cross hit the upright as Town flowed forward in numbers pressing for the equaliser. Then with four minutes of the half remaining E H Factors & Clothing sponsored Carmarthen Town finally levelled. Craig Hanford carried the ball from the back and having set Hughes free on goal the front man rounded the keeper and netted neatly from an angle.

Following the break Aaron Stokoe’s ball into the box caused problems for the visitors and Meredith headed narrowly over off Mike Foster’s flag kick. But Town regrouped and went ahead six minutes after the restart when Walters broke well down the left before breaking inside and providing a deft cross for Thomas to head home at the back post.

Town keeper Neil Thomas did well to deny a driven effort from Cai Jones and an angled shot from Chris Jones before Walters made it comfortable for the Old Gold. Hughes took the ball to the bye line and having cut back in and beaten his marker found Walters at the back post for the wing man to make it 3-1 to the visitors.

With Town in control a last ditch tackle by Foster denied Walters a second before Griffiths added the fourth after Walters had crossed back into the box following a corner. With sub Mark Pritchard turning to play in Griffiths the defender finished well to put Town within a point of the vital cut off mark for Super Twelve status.

Brace added, “Today’s win puts pressure on the teams above us and a bit of pressure on the teams below us. Obviously the games are running out and what we have to do is take the positives and build on them”.

“If we want to finish in that top ten there has to be more points. It’s not about waiting on other results we have to make sure it stays in our hands. There’s probably a group of about eight clubs battling for one or two places”.

Port: R Harvey, E Roberts, M Foster, D Pyrs, G Parry, A Stokoe, C Jones, R Evans (D Williams 89'), C Jones, S Meredith (M Orlik 77'), J Rogers (A Shannon 58').

Town: N Thomas, R Hughes, C Hanford, N Palmer (B Saul 87'), D Griffiths, N Smothers, D Thomas, T Hicks, P Fowler (S Walters 17'), C Hughes (M Pritchard 77'), N Cotterill Sub not used: D Brace. Referee Matt Bridges.

05.04.10 LLANELLI AFC 1 CARMARTHEN TOWN 0

Town were unable to reverse their recent record at Stebonheath Park when a late goal from Rhys Griffiths gave the hosts all three points. Griffiths netted the game's only goal, his 20th of the season, seven minutes from time.

With both sides having created chances Town looked to have battled their way to a deserved point before Griffiths pounced after Jordan Fellows had hooked a clearance from keeper Craig Morris on to Craig Moses for the front man to beat Neil Thomas at the near post.

The result will be a disappointment for Town boss Deryn Brace following a positive performance. Craig Hughes was denied by Morris following a Sacha Walters cross and when Nicky Palmer won posession Hughes sent his finish straight at the keeper.

Moses and Jason Bowen both came close for the Reds. Dale Griffiths made a crucial goal line clearance for Town and a Chris Thomas tackle and a Thomas save kept out the Reds' front man. But with Walters losing out in a one-on-one with Morris Town missed a great opportunity before Griffiths once again sealed the result in favour of the title chasing Reds.

The Old Gold remain in eleventh place, two points adrift of tenth-placed Airbus UK Broughton, who have played one game less. Town are also just one point ahead of West Wales rivals Haverfordwest who now have a game in hand over the Richmond Park outfit.

Llanelli AFC: C Morris, L Jarman, A Legg, C Venables, S Jones, W Thomas, J Bowen (J Follows 77'), A Corbisiero (C Jones 53'), R Griffiths, C Holloway, C Moses Subs not used: Andrew Mumford, Ryan Batley (y), Declan John (y)

Town: N Thomas, R Hughes, C Hanford (N Cotterall 66'), N Smothers, D Griffiths, C Thomas, D Thomas (D Brace 82'), S Walters, T Hicks, C Hughes, N Palmer (M Pritchard 74') Referee: Dean John

13.04.10 CARMARTHEN TOWN 0 RHYL FC 1

Matthew Williams' first half strike was enough to give the Champions all three points. With Andrew Pearson picking up on Craig Hancock's header back inside the mid fielder played in Williams who turned his marker before firing just inside the post on 28 minutes.

Earlier Town looked vulnerable as they conceded several early free kicks in dangerous positions. And with Mark Connolly, Williams and Tyrone Kirk testing Town's resolve it took a great clearing header from Dale Griffiths to keep the Champions out.

On the 20 minute mark Greg Strong's wayward pack pass was just salvaged off the line by his keeper and as Town gathered momentum Nicky Palmer, Sacha Walters and Craig Hughes had an impact. With Town pressing it needed a last ditch tackle from Phil Ojapah to deny Walters and minutes later it took a full length save from Jack Cudworth to preserve Rhyl's advantage at half time.

Following the break Town made more of an impression. Ojapah cleared his line after Town had hit the underside of the bar. And with Town competing well Williams' petulant kick on Griffiths went unpunished. But as Rhyl broke at speed it took a point blank save from Neil Thomas to keep out Connolly and keep Town in contention.

Paul Fowler replaced Palmer ten minutes into the half and the sub's header off a Tim Hicks delivery went narrowly over. Following the hour Rhyl penned Town in with their movement and pace. Nathan Cotterrall replaced Craig Hancock and with Town regaining momentum a deft cross from Walters caused problems before Fowler sent his angled finish straight at the keeper.

Following a long stoppage Cotterrall recovered well to send in a teasing cross that just bobbled away from the well placed Thomas with Walters hooking the loose ball over. Then having defended in strength to hold out Town's late push Kirk's late strike following a dazling break glanced off the base of the post as the visitors saw out five minutes of injury time to claim the vital points and leave Town empty handed.

Manager Deryn Brace told Y Dre ar Y We, " We didn't deserve anything from tonight as they controlled most of the game and we didn't show enough fight. They were stronger. I'm very disappointed.

Town: N Thomas, R Hughes, C Hanford, N Smothers, D Griffiths, C Thomas, D Thomas , S Walters, T Hicks, C Hughes, N Palmer Subs: D Brace, N Cotterall, P Fowler.

Rhyl: J Cudworth, M Naylor, S Dowling, G Strong, P Ojapah, J Leah, C Williams, A Pearson, M Connolly, M Williams, T Kirk Subs: G Owen, J Dixon, S Heenan, P Pritchard Referee: Wayne Stephens.

16.04.10 NEATH ATHLETIC 1 CARMARTHEN TOWN 1

With Town substitute Danny Thomas netting what looked like a winner with ten minutes remaining the Richmond Park outfit were denied all three points at the death by an injury time strike from Neath substitute Chris Jones.

Town manager Deryn Brace was clearly disappointed by the outcome following a very positive performance by his squad. “We wanted more and it could have been more. Obviously it’s disappointing to concede in the last couple of minutes”.

“I thought first half it was mainly us. We had several opportunities and caused them all kinds of problems. I thought the goal that went in off Craig Hughes was a very tight decision. Having said that I think the same could be said about their disallowed goal”.

“Second half they kept the ball a little bit better and away from us. Overall a draw is probably about right. The disappointing factor is that we were leading going into the final minutes”.

“Of course if we hadn’t had conceded we would be two points better off. But in all fairness I was pleased how we had responded after the defeats to Llanelli and Rhyl.

“It was a really, really encouraging performance and several of the players put in their best performance of the season. Hopefully we will have gained a lot of confidence and it will set us in good stead for the two final games”.

Town started strongly with a Neil Smothers header from a corner being cleared off the Neath line. Then with the hosts defending in numbers Paul Fowler’s volley looked to have broken the deadlock. But having taken a deflection off Craig Hughes the Assistant Referee flagged that Hughes was in an offside position and the goal was ruled out and despite Town having considerable possession it remained goalless at the break.

Following the resumption the hosts made more of an impression. An Ashley Evans strike from a Dale Evans lay-off went just wide of the target and substitute Liam Evans got behind the Town defence before blasting his angled finish over the bar.

Then with Town clearing a Nathan Cotterrall diagonal cross-field ball was helped-on by Hughes for Thomas to run through and net a late lead for Town.

Minutes later Jones looked to have levelled for the hosts but his volley was also ruled offside by the Assistant before Town conceded a crushing late equaliser. With substitute Craig Steins heading down a long downfield clearance from keeper Wyn Walters the Grimsby Town loanee sent in an angled volley from the edge of the box to salvage a point for the hosts.

But despite the late leveller there was some consolation in other results for Brace. With Airbus winning at Maes Tegid Town remain in eleventh place three points behind Bala with a game in hand.

Neath FC: W Walters, C Castan, K James, I Hillier, L Hancock, A Evans, S Pockett, M Harris (C Jones 63'), C Llewellyn, D Evans (L Thomas 63'), K Cooper (C Steins 75') Subs not used: S Cronin, K Howard

Carmarthen Town: N Thomas, R Hughes, N Smothers, N Palmer, D Griffiths, K Thomas, S Walters (D Thomas 75'), T Hicks, P Fowler, C Hughes (M Pritchard 90'), N Cotterrall Sub not used: D Brace. Referee: Ceri Richards.

20.04.10 CARMARTHEN TOWN 2 HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY 2

Following a nail biting competitive affair both sides took a share of the spoils in what was potentially a winner takes all game. Town still remain one point ahead of the visitors two points behind tenth placed Bala Town.

The outcome means that Town must win Saturday's game against visiors Elements Cefn Druids to have any chance of making a top ten placing to qualify for next season's super twelve WP League.

Both sides were competitive from the off. Bluebird Jack Christopher's snap-shot glanced off the Town bar to safety and when Paul Fowler fouled Chris O'Sullivan the resulting set piece bounced dangerously in the box before finally being gathered by keeper Neil Thomas.

Having threatened Town broke the deadlock. A Sacha Walters corner was cleared only to be put back in by the wing-man. With Dale Griffiths turning in the box the defender netted on 26 minutes.

Town could have doubled the advantage within a minute. With Tim Hicks beating his man out wide a goalmouth scramble saw Craig Hughes just fail to flick the ball home. Both side mounted raids. With Christopher and Tom Billings making their presence felt for the Blues Neil Smothers and Paul Fowler were strong as Town looked to extend the lead.

Walters beat his marker on the flank and having sent in a deft, floated cross Griffiths put the finish just wide as Town maintained the advantage at the break.

Having made two substitutions at half time the Bluebirds dominated possession after the break and were rewarded three minutes into the half when a cross from the right was back flicked into the far corner of the net by the predetory Christopher.

Town responded immediately and regained the lead two minuets later when Walters pulled a long ball back from the bye-line for Craig Hughes to find Cotterrall who drove the ball in from an angle.

With pressure mounting on the Town goal as Haverfordwest looked for a second leveller it took a clearing header from Griffiths to keep out Lee Hudgell and with Tom Ramasut breaking through keeper Neil Thomas saved well to deny the mid fielder who was now pushing further forward.

Substitute Steffan Williams come close with a good headed effort and with eight minutes remaining the Bluebirds were rewarded for their considerable second half endeavor. With Mark Dodds getting between keeper and defenders he headed in O'Sullivan's free kick to ensure that honours were shared leaving both sides looking to a final day decider.

Town: N Thomas, R Hughes (D Thomas), N Smothers, N Palmer, D Griffiths, K Thomas, S Walters, T Hicks, P Fowler, C Hughes (M Pritchard), N Cotterrall Sub not used: D Brace.

County: L Idzi, K Griffiths, M Dodds, K Graves, J Grimes, J Bradford, C O'Sullivan, T Ramasut, T Billing, J Christopher, L Hudgell Subs: G Elliott, N Woodrow, S Williams, R Watts. Referee: Paul Thomas.

24.04.10 CARMARTHEN TOWN 4 ELEMENTS CEFN DRUIDS 0

A Chris Thomas brace and one each for Dale Griffiths and Danny Thomas gave Town a comprehensive win over visitors Cefn Druids. With Bala Town drawing at Port Talbot the win ensures Town tenth position and a place in the newly structured Welsh Premier League for next season.

Manager Deryn Brace felt relief more than joy. "Yes it was a huge relief to finish in the top ten. But it was also a big well done to the players who have played under a great deal of pressure over the last few weeks."

“We left it a little late, the thirty-fourth game of the season, but having said that I never once doubted that we were actually capable or that we weren’t going to do it. What I didn’t expect was that we were going to leave it so late and have an anxious wait on another result”.

“We now have to put it all into perspective, learn from the mistakes that we made and move on. Obviously we cannot go through the same again and I think we’ve learnt that we cannot take things for granted. We can now all look forward to next season”.

Town started a little nervously with Adam Hesp’s long throws causing a few early problems. But when the defender was punished for a push in the back on Craig Hughes the Thomas free kick from the edge of the box beat the wall and the keeper to settle Town's nerves on 22 minutes and give the Richmond Park outfit the breakthrough they had threatened. Two minutes later Town could easily have doubled the score when Griffiths headed a Sacha Walters corner narrowly wide. Walters was again the provider just after the half hour, but with the ball somehow sticking under Tim Hicks' feet the chance was scrambled clear by the Druids defence.

With visitors largely restricted to breakouts Hesp's long throws continued to cause problems and Gareth Caughter, in midfield, did well to make the most of limited possession. But with Town pressing Ancients keeper Chris Mullock produced a fantastic one handed save to deny Nicky Palmer's 20-yard volley just before the break.

Town upped the tempo in the second period and doubled the advantage on 50 minutes. With Druids failing to clear a Walters corner Hughes put the ball back in for Griffiths to head home from six yards to make it 2-0. Five minutes later Danny Thomas made the game safe after he had been put through by Hughes following a throw in for his eleventh strike of the season. But the mid fielder was denied a second a couple of minutes later by Mullock who blocked Thomas' effort with his body.

Chris Thomas finished Town's day in style with a glorious left footed curling shot from the edge of the box on 67 minutes after the defender had cut in from the right to beat the keeper inside the far post.

Late on Neil Thomas denied Druids any consolation by tipping over sub Adam Skellon’s effort and getting down to Dan Barnett’s low strike after a scramble in the box. And, having defended the late threat in numbers, Town kept a clean sheet for a well deserved win. In contrast Druids will start the next season in the Cymru Alliance having been relegated in bottom place.

“I think the club as a whole has offered massive support", added Brace, "not least the supporters that have come to watch every other week at home. We’ve had fantastic backing despite our home record being disappointing. I’d like to think that they could see that the effort was there. Unfortunately at times we did not have an end product.

“Qualification has to be the highlight of the season. There were some solid performances some that were backed up by results and some that weren’t. We showed that we could produce it over a few games but not enough. “I think that the Aberystwyth away game stood out as a very positive performance and Dale Griffiths has been a fantastic find for us.

“With our home form we had so many winnable games that we just lost our way in. The Porthmadog game was a low point and affected us a bit. From being in control of a game we should have been four or five nil up at half time we start the second half and find ourselves one nil down”.

Town: N Thomas, S Walters, N Smothers (S James 89’), N Palmer (B Soal 75’), D Griffiths, K Thomas, D Thomas,T Hicks, P Fowler, C Hughes (M Pritchard 69’), N Cotterrall Subs not used: B Morris, D Brace.

Druids: C Mullock, C Pejic, R Wright, J Crowther, D Barnett, A Hesp, C Buxton (W Phillips 42’), G Caughter, J Rush, J Russell, A Evans (A Skellon 68’). Referee Dean John.