Ian Davies one of Town's youngsters was drafted in for his first start in the League of Wales instead of wing back Gavin Rees. Davies looked comfortable on the ball, initiated some good moves and had an good game. Oswestry looked a busy and hard working side. On 24' Oswestry's Rob Morris was booked.

As the game settled 'Town' built some threatening moves. Richie Adams showed his skill when he weaved his way into the opposition penalty area and nearly broke the deadlock . Paul Walker's final shot was just off target on 32'.

A couple of minutes later an equally good move initiated by Gareth Barton again put the visitors under pressure and gave Ian Davies' an opportunity on goal. Davies' shot was blocked in the crowded goalmouth and eventually cleared.

Play continued to be evenly balanced and on 40' Town was fortunate to survive when skipper David Barnhouse's missed placed pass across the penalty area was picked up by Steve Rogers who shot wide with only Fitzgerald to beat.

It was all square at half time. Town perhaps shaded the first half but Oswestry were showing their experience. When they moved up field they moved as a unit but also frustrated Town's lack of experienced fire-power up front by getting plenty of bodies behind the ball

Following the break play flowed from one end of the field to the other. Town put together some good moves with Adams and Barton combining well at times. But on the hour, following an Oswestry break, Fitzgerald was forced to make a magnificent save from Rogers. The Oswestry striker's disappointment didn't last long as from the resultant corner kick he headed home unchallenged into the corner of the net to break the deadlock.

Town's frustrations were compounded shortly afterwards when Barton, after some shirt pulling from the experienced Brett Jeffries retaliated and was sent off by Swansea referee Mark Whitby. Jeffries was also booked.

On 74' Tomi Morgan came on for Ian Davies and five minutes later Stephen Evans came on for the tiring Adams. Oswestry brought on Wenham for Ross Jefferies and Taylor was also brought on (not sure who for).

Town piled on the pressure in the pulsating final ten minutes. However, Town's tale of woe continued, as Tomi Morgan in his exuberance was yellow carded by the referee on 82'. Oswestry hung on for their first away win to remain unbeaten.

Oswestry are a busy, committed side with some good individual players and plenty of experience to control things when the pressure is on. Both sides had chances and Oswestry took theirs. Town missed out today but will be relieved that Richard Parker, last year's top scorer, will return next week.

Town : Fitgerald, Davies, Jones, Thomas, O'Brian, Barnhouse, C. Evans, Rossiter, Walker, Barton, Adams. Subs : S. Evans, Vaughan, Morgan

Oswestry : Blower, Jones, Langly, O'Shaughnesy, B. Jeffries, Fairhurst, Bridges, Morris, Rogers, R. Jeffries, Price, Wenham, Taylor &Burgess.

Referee : M. Whitby, R.J. Ellingham, A. Hutcheon. Crowd 361

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FOR TOWN this was very much a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth. Manager Tomi Morgan, with Meredith, Nicholls and Parker unavailable through injury and suspension, was forced to play five at the back four in mid field and debutante Gareth Barton up front as a lone striker.

Although Town started brightly enough with Gavin Rees being particularly effective down the right side it soon became evident that Town were just too crowded in the middle of the field and there was little room for creativity.

It was a game that was played in fits and bursts. Periods of ariel bombardment interspersed with moments of creativity. Town took the game to Lido but when they managed to break out of their own half Lido had a couple of reasonable chances. Mitch Patton looked the most effective and kept the Town defence on their toes. Town succeed to build attacks down the flanks but gave possession away in the final quarter. The first real chance on goal was when Paul Walker was brought down on the edge of the Afan Lido box by Pitman on 18' and Craig Evans chipped the ball over the wall from the resulting free kick but just wide of the upright with the Lido keeper beaten.

Lido had their chances. On the break they looked quite dangerous but chances were squandered. Whilst Mitch Patton looked effective for Lido, Craig Evans and Dean Rossiter had chances for Town. Town were stretched on occasions, having pushed up they were caught by Afan Lido's long ball as Lido broke from defence. On 32' Wayne Jones put Gareth Barton free down the left wing and with only the keeper to beat his shot went wide.

As the game progressed Afan Lido came more into the game with some good periods of possession. Andy Pitman was booked on 37' and the first half finished in stalemate.

The second half started with Town looking as if they were going in search of goals. This was quite short-lived as once again the middle of the field was very crowded and both sides resorted to using long balls and setting up sporadic attacks. Afan Lido began to look the more creative. Town just seemed to get in on another's way. Gareth Barton was booked on 58' and the game seemed to lose all creativity.

Tomi substituted Barton with Richie Adams on 66' and a couple of minutes later put on Malcolm Vaughan for the injured Steve Evans and Ian Davies for the struggling (injury) Gavin Rees. At least Town had better shape and looked as if they were trying to be more creative with their possession. Afan Lido on the other hand were far more confident and had some effective runs up the middle of the field.

This fixture has a history of draws and as the game progressed it seemed the most likely outcome for this encounter. Having said that both sides had reasonable chances in the final minutes to win the game. James Taylor came on for Pearson on 89'.

Although he will not be pleased with the way Town played today Tomi will, most probably, be content with a point from this uninspiring encounter. Town's defence looked quite comfortable but the lack of experience up front was reflected in the lack of goals on the score sheet. Not a very memorable debut for Town's young striker Barton against a strong, physical defence. Ian Davies, another League debutante, looked quite comfortable but had little opportunity to make his mark.

On this glorious afternoon at the seaside it was a shame that the game did not reflect the weather. Town's contingent of supporters looked to out-number the support of the home team but were not best pleased at being charged 50p for what was in effect a teamsheet that masqueraded as a programme.

With Oswestry winning convincingly against Llanelli today Tomi will have to re-think his strategy for Town's first home game of the season next week against the League's newcomers.

Afan Lido - Thomas, Pitman, Jones, Johnstone, Williams, Rickard, Patton, Evans, Pearson, O'Leary, Hurley. Sub Taylor for Pearson 89'. Not used Scott & Galsworthy

Carmarthen Town - Fitzgerald, Rees, Jones, Thomas, O'Brian, Barnhouse, Craig Evans, Rossiter, Barton, Steven Evans & Walker. Subs Adams for Barton, Vaughan for S. Evans & Ian Davies for Rees.

Ref - Paul Thomas (Rhondda) C. Daughters Bridgend, S.C. Harmes (Aberdare)