14.08.04 Connah's Quay Nomads 1 Carmarthen Town 2

A new season, a new sponsor for the league, a new managerial team and a new look squad saw Carmarthen Town travel to Connah's Quay Nomads last Saturday. With all the changes it was an eventful journey for the Richmond Park faithful and their wishes were answered by a 2-1 victory.

Town began the new season in promising style with a morale boosting win away at Connah's Quay Nomads. Mark Jones the new manger of the Richmond Park outfit was very pleased with his team but emphasised that “it was a good team performance with no individual stars”

After last season's poor performances the new look squad, boosted by the late signing of Welsh Semi Professional International Gary Lloyd from Newport County, needed to make a positive start to the season. This they certainly did with Mattie Davies causing a number of initial problems to the home defence. However the Nomads who are regarded as a difficult side to break down gradually took control of the game mainly due to the number of free kicks Town gave away. Former Wrexham player Gareth Owen delivered these precisely into the box and caused a number of problems to the Town defence and Tony Pennock was forced into several very good saves in order to deny the home side. Nomads did take the lead in the 26 th minute with what manger Jones described as a “bizarre goal” which saw renowned goalscorer Tommy Mutton stroke the ball into an unprotected Town net.

This setback did not deter the Town side and they battled their way back into the game. A quickly taken free kick down the left hand side by Lloyd in the 39 th minute saw Mark Dodds climb above the home defence to nod down to Davies who despatched the ball into the back of the net. A few minutes later Davies was only slightly wide with another fine effort.

A few tactical changes at half time meant that Town started the second half in impressive form. Richard Kennedy and Richard Carter took care of Nomads danger men Jon Kenworthy and Mutton and their influence on the game was stifled. Town were dominant during this period and thoroughly deserved taking the lead when Nicky Burke, one of the surviving members of last year's squad, latched onto a Rhys Griffiths knock down from a throw in to shoot past a despairing Lee Williams in the home goal.

The Nomads came back strongly during the latter period of the game and town's situation was made more difficult by the sending off of Kennedy near the end of the game for his second bookable offence. Town should have made the game safe in the 87 th minute when Griffiths was brought down but he was denied from the penalty spot by a combination of Williams in the home goal and a post.

Manger Jones felt that “ the tactical changes we made at half time meant that we took control of the game and denied Nomads any momentum to their game” He was also pleased with the attitude of his squad “ the commitment was there immediately”

Connah's Quay Nomads L.Williams, Rain, Brookman, Hutchinson, Horan, Jellicoe, C.Williams, Mutton, D.Williams (Griffiths 75'), Kenworthy,Owen. Subs not used: Cooke, Spray, Holmes

Carmarthen Town Pennock, Kennedy, Giles, Carter, Chiverton, Dodds (Smothers 86'), Lloyd, Burke, Griffiths, Jones, Davies (Keaveney 80'). Sub not used: Price.

Attendance: 102 Referee: B Lawlor

28.08.04 NEWI Cefn Druids 0 Carmarthen Town 1

Having created a hat full of chances throughout it was a well-taken 88th. minute strike by substitute Jon Keaveny that secured the points for Carmarthen Town at NEWI Cefn Druids last Saturday.

Druids' debutant keeper, 21 year old former Chester City player Louis Mackin, denied Town's forward line repeatedly with a string of outstanding saves including a superb last quarter double save and a penalty save.

And with the former Tranmere Rovers and Huddersfield Town captain Kenny Irons sparking the Druids into a much-improved performance Town made heavy going of their visit to Plaskynaston.

With the outcome finally secured Town coach Mark Aizlewood was delighted with his side's win:

“First and foremost the game is ninety minutes and it doesn't matter if you score in the first or the last minute the most important thing is to keep a clean sheet and we did that today.

“We didn't start well and yes they hit the post in the last ten minutes but it's been a long time since a Carmarthen Town side created so many chances and that was the vital factor. We created chances right to the end and we were finally rewarded.

“Jon Keaveny took his goal well. I'm delighted for him as he's been very patient on the bench. The strength of the bench was in itself a key factor as we were able to make three substitutions that gave us quality, pace and energy in the last twenty minutes. We fully deserved the win.

A scrappy and disjointed opening twenty-minute period saw Town struggle to impose themselves on a young and committed Druids side. As the half hour approached Rhys Griffiths, Mattie Davies and Mark Dodds all saw good efforts denied by keeper Maken and when Griffiths was put clear just after the thirty minute mark the young custodian once again stood firm to win the advantage over the striker.

With his excellent distribution and experience a clear factor Irons provided the fulcrum for the Druids counter as Mike Thompson and Aden Shannon made dangerous inroads into the Town defence on the break.

As half time approached Town were denied a clear-cut handball appeal and the game remained goalless at the break.

Town began the second period with Griffiths' strength once again causing problems for the home defence. When the strikers effort hit the cross bar and Davies' follow up was blocked it looked as if it was just a matter of time before Town made the breakthrough.

But the Druids defence remained dogged and with substitute Mick McLean causing Town problems down the flank the visitors did not get everything their own way.

Griffiths and Davies linked well and with the introduction of Richard Kennedy and Nathan Cotterall on 65 minutes Town maintained their momentum.

With Luke Hardy having rounded the home defence a superb double save by Mackin from Griffiths and then substitute Cotterall denied the visitors the vital advantage.

Minutes later, with Town having been awarded a penalty, the young keeper made a comfortable save from Davies' weak effort.

This gave Druids heart and with Irons showing his class with a superb through ball Shannon's shot eluded Pennock but rebounded off the post much to the relief of the visiting support.

NEWI Cefn Druids Macken, Parry, Cooper, Rowlands, Salmon, Irons, Stacey, Edgar (McLean 83'), Williams, Thompson (McDonnell 35'),Shannon. Sub not used: Farrington

Carmarthen Town Pennock, Hardy, Giles, Smothers, Chiverton, Jones, Dodds, Burke (Kennedy 65'), Griffiths (Keaveney 80'), Davies, Lloyd (Cotterrall 65').

Attendance: 81 Referee: N L Morgan