27.08.06 NEWI Cefn Druids 1 Carmarthen Town 2

Carmarthen Town moved proudly to the top of the Principality Welsh Premier, level on points with champions The New Saints, following a hard-earned 2-1 victory over Newi Cefn Druids yesterday. It took their unbeaten sequence at the Wrexham venue to seven matches - six wins and a draw - but it was a much tougher assignment than many expected.

While Kaid Mohamed was the visitors' most influential player for the first hour, it was the introduction of Sacha Walters in the 64th minute that turned the match after Druids has spurned an early lead when they were presented with three excellent chances.

Seven minutes after his introduction, Walters mesmerised the home defence with a tricky run that ended in a cross to Nathan Cotterrall who converted from point-blank range.

And eight minutes later, the win was rubber-stamped when Cotterrall eased his way from the left flank into the box and hit a low shot across the keeper, into the net.

NEWI Cefn Druids Edwards, Rowlands, Roberts, Taylor, Hobson (Robbins 88'), Mazzarella (Barton 83'), Hunter (Evans 79'), Cook, Williams, Lamb, Jones. Sub not used: Mullock

Carmarthen Town N.Thomas, Evans, Ramasut, Hancock, Aherne-Evans, K.Thomas (Davies 64'), D.Thomas, Loss (Lima 83'), Dodds (Walters 64'), Mohamed, Cotterrall.

Attendance: 155 Referee: Mark Petch

19.08.06 Carmarthen Town 4 Caernarfon Town 1

Carmarthen Town scorched to a superb 4-1 victory over Caernarfon Town at Richmond Park to start the new Prinicpality Welsh Premier campaign with a bang. It was the best possible riposte from Mark Jones's side to the doubters who were questioning whether the Priory Street club had the playing resources to make another challenge for honours this season.

The loss of nearly half a squad in the last six months had raised questions despite some useful acquisitions but, on the evidence of their opening 90 minutes of the season, the fans can look forward to another exciting season.

''It was a brilliant game and a great performance,'' Jones said.

''It was end to end excitement with good football and superb goals.

''What was particularly pleasing was that we had seven new players in our squad and were playing against a team that contained players with a combined total of more than 1,000 Football League games behind them.''

And Jones added: ''I know what people have been saying but I wouldn't have brought in the new players if I didn't think they were good enough.

''We had a nice mixture of youth and experience and Nathan Cotterrall was superb. He was unplayable in the second half.''

Jones also was full of praise for this week's new signing, goalkeeper Neil Thomas, signed from Port Talbot, and substitute Sasha Walters.

''Neil pulled off three world-class saves in the first half when we could have gone in 3-2 down and Sasha showed the attitude I'm looking for. He told me he didn't want to be a substitute, then came on and smashed in two goals.

''It's vital that if we are to have another good season that there is competition for places''.

Jones also confirmed that he is still seeking a few more fresh faces for his squad.

Against a Canaries side that had not lost at Carmarthen in four previous league meetings, the hosts made the first impact with a copybook fifth minute goal.

A delightful move that had the home supporters purring at its quality ended with Colin Loss and Kaid Mohammed combining to supply the cross that former Cardiff City striker Danny Thomas brilliantly converted from close range.

Kris Thomas then had an opportunity to double the advantage but shot wide but the most glaring miss of the first period was from Caernarfon's Craig Roberts who somehow contrived to miss out from three yards.

Two minutes into the second half, the home side were 2-0 up, Cotterrall's magnificent approach work setting up Mark Dodds who toe-poked home from close range.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men 10 minutes after the break, Kenny Irons dismissed following an incident involving Loss.

But the North Walians pulled one back when Leyton Maxwell beat Thomas with a superb free-kick from the edge of the box.

Walters's arrival signalled the end of Caernarfon's hopes.

Goalkeeper Paul Pritchard could only parry Cotterrall's fierce drive in the 80th minute and the lively front man fired home. And he bagged his second on the stroke of full-time from Mattie Davies's pass.

Carmarthen Town N.Thomas, Evans, Ramasut, Hancock, Aherne-Evans, K.Thomas (Williams 89'), D.Thomas, Loss, Dodds (Davies 75'), Mohamed (Walters 68'), Cotterrall. Subs not used: Lima, Richards.

Caernarfon Town Pritchard, Phillips, Ogilvy, Irons, E.Jones, Bamber, C.Jones (Watkin 81'), Maxwell, L.Jones, Roberts, Owen (Peters 62'). Sub not used: Maloney