18.08.07 Rhyl FC 2 Carmarthen Town 1

Despite losing his first Principality Welsh Premier League game in charge of Carmarthen Town, manager Deryn Brace was in a positive mood following the game against a side that must be one of the favourites for this season’s League’s title.

“Today we faced one of our biggest tests of the season. Although we lost by the odd goal in three we proved, for a large percentage of the game, that we will be a very competitive side this season. There were far more positives to take away from the game than negatives.”

Rhyl justified their credentials as one of the strongest contenders for the title but were made to work very hard for their victory by a determined and hard working Town side.

Town team suffered a very early blow when new signing Nicky Palmer was injured in the second minute of the game and had to be replaced by Sasha Walters. Creditably this did not deter the Town side and they matched their opponents for long periods of the game.

Both Tim Hicks and Danny Thomas worked continuously upfront and Hicks was only denied by his former team mate keeper Lee Kendall’s fingertips from opening the scoring following a superb cross by Nathan Cotterall. Kendall, who is recognized as the best custodian in the league, had only signed for the Rhyl side the previous Friday underlining the North Wales outfit’s commitment to winning the league this season.

Town did come under pressure on occasions but the Richmond Park outfit’s defensive line up proved effective in keeping the potent Rhyl strike force at bay with Gareth Warton in good form in the centre of defence supported on the flank by Kris Thomas who also penetrated deep into the Rhyl half on several occasions. Partnering Warton was Richard Hughes, who was also making his league debut for the Old Gold, with Town’s player manager taking the other flank role. The visiting side was also fortunate to have last season’s hero Neil Thomas at his most alert in goal.

Having competed well Town went behind with five minutes of the half remaining when Rhyl’s schemer Jimmy Kelly sent a free kick from the edge of the box through Town’s defensive wall to give the home side the lead at the break. Whilst it was rather a sloppy goal to concede at an important stage of the game Kelly proved very influential throughout as he battled for midfield supremacy with Paul Fowler and Town’s new signing, Gregg Coombes.

Town started the second half in attacking mode with Cotterall penetrating down the left hand side, supplying a great cross which was headed just wide by Hicks. Strike partner Danny Thomas was also denied by the home defence after being fed by Walters following a strong run by Kris Thomas.

Rhyl doubled the advantage in the 54th. minute when Lee Hunt found the net after a break down the right hand side by Andy Moran. With the hosts in full flight Town were subjected to a period of pressure with Thomas forced into making three superb saves one immediately after each other with Town also fortunate during this period that Moran squandered several chances with some very poor finishing.

Gradually Town played their way back into the game. Craig Garside was forced to clear off the line for the home side whilst Town substitute Mattie Davies’ goal-bound shot was deflected to safety.

Town’s persistence was eventually rewarded when Cotterall again provided for Hicks to get his head to the ball and open his league account for the season.

Although beaten Town proved that they will be a competitive force once again this season as their gallant performance against Rhyl proved.

Town will make the long journey to North Wales again next Saturday when they take on League newcomers Llangefni Town. The bus will leave the clubhouse at 07.30 am.

Rhyl FC: Kendall, Jones, Roberts, O'Neil (Holt 79'), Horan, Ruffer, Kelly, Garside (Wilson 73'), Hunt, Moran (Cameron 82'), Graves. Yellow Cards: Wilson 84'

Carmarthen Town: N Thomas, Hughes, Brace, Palmer (Walters 4'), Warton, C Thomas, D Thomas, Hicks, Fowler (M Davies 72'), Coomes (Hancock 81'), Cotterrall. Yellow Cards Coomes 60'

Attendance: 504 Referee: Lee Evans

25.08.07 Llangefni Town 0 Carmarthen Town 3

A twelve minute first half blitz saw Town produce a commanding lead that ensured a comfortable win against league newcomers Llangefni Town. With Danny Thomas grabbing his brace and Tim Hicks netting in-between Thomas’ strikes Town were rarely troubled though a plucky second half performance by the hosts denied the visitors any addition to the tally.

Manager Deryn Brace retained the mid week pairing of Liam Hancock and Richard Hughes at the centre of defence with Kris Thomas and Brace himself, whose on-field organisation had been so critical in midweek against Aberystwyth, taking up the flanks.

The energetic pairing of Thomas and Hicks provided options up-front but it was Town’s mid-fielded maestros, Paul Fowler and Gregg Coombes, that gave Town the critical platform to establish themselves as Fowler’s determination and strength and Coombes creative and accurate passing reducing the hosts to the occasional skirmish from defence.

It was in fact Fowler’s persistence followed by a neat one-two with Sasha Walters that enabled the wing man to get behind the defence and provide for Thomas to break the deadlock on twenty minutes with a simple finish at the far post that gave Town the opener they had threatened from the off.

With the hosts forced to replace forward Kevin Lloyd with Ywain Gwynedd Town encountered their first period of pressure. But, with the lively Walters picking up on a loose ball and playing in Thomas with a defence splitting ball, Town soon extended the lead as the front man drew the keeper and laid off for Hicks to convert at the far post and make it two in a four minute period.

Walters continued to threaten on the right but it was again Fowler’s strength in winning the mid-field ball that released Nathan Cotterall on the flank for Town’s unusually subdued captain to deliver a pin point cross for Thomas to head across goal to make it three and, in the event, secure Town’s first three point of the current campaign.

Following the break Lee Dixon replaced defender Mike Parry. The substitute proved influential and together with Chris Jones who provided impetus and momentum as Llangefni pushed forward and forced a number of corners.

But Town dealt with the early second half pressure well and following the hour coach Mark Aizlewood provided playing time for all three substitutes. With the game won the busy Thomas was unfortunate not to have claimed his hat-trick and with Cotterrall seeing a good effort go over there was little to trouble Town’s defence except a shot come cross from Chris Stones that keeper Neil Thomas comfortably tipped over and a driven shot from Chris Evans that found the side netting.

Having made the long journey to North Wales for the second consecutive week and, in between, been forced to battle for over an hour with ten men in a mid week Loosemores Cup encounter at Aberystwyth Manager Deryn Brace was naturally delighted with the outcome.

“Delighted to be up and running. The result, with the three points, was all important. The bonus is that we put in a solid performance especially second half and our first twenty five minutes I thought we were exceptional.

“We set out our standards early on and we managed to get the job done in the first thirty five minutes. What we need to do now is to maintain that standard throughout the game.

“I was particularly pleased with our attitude today. Everybody was spot on and we got the job done early on. When they came at us for a twenty minute period in the second half we produced a solid performance.

“The last two games have been tough, up at Rhyl and at Aberystwyth. But everybody’s attitude has been exceptional. What’s been really pleasing is that we have been creating chances and we got the job done today".

Llangefni Town Jackson, Mitchell, C.Roberts, M.Jones, Parry (Dixon 46'), A.Jones, D.G.Roberts, C.Evans (D.Thomas 63'), Lloyd (Gwynedd 21'), C.Jones, Austin.

Carmarthen Town N.Thomas, Hughes, Brace (McDonald 64'), Coombes (Warton 76'), Hancock, C.Thomas, D,Thomas, Hicks (Davies 69'), Fowler, Walters, Cotterrell.

Attendance: 156 Referee: Huw Jones

31.08.07 Neath Athletic 1 Carmarthen Town 2

Llandarcy will be a difficult venue for teams this season as Carmarthen Town’s Friday night encounter with Neath Athletic showed as the newcomers looked for a positive result from their first home Welsh Premier League encounter.

Retaining the same starting line up from the previous week manager Deryn Brace included new signing Jamal Easter and two returnees Neil Smoothers and Nicky Palmer on the bench for this important encounter.

But it was the hosts who started positively with Richard French and David D’ Auria combining well on the right and Andy Hill showing movement and sharpness in front of goal.

For Town Nathan Cotterrall and Sasha Walters raided down the flanks and Chris Thomas probed from deep but with little direction in the final quarter Town were unable to retain possession and were forced to counter for much of the opening period.

With Town conceding a number of free kicks Chris Pridham saw a couple of snap shots held by Town keeper Neil Thomas. And it was to the former Port Talbot and Afan Lido midfielder who had the first clear cut opportunity on the quarter hour when D’Auria provided from the right and Pridham, unmarked at the back post, headed over when well placed.

As the intense and intriguing mid-field battle hotted up, adding spice to what was a very competitive and enthralling game, referee Mark Whitby produced a couple of yellow cards to cool things down a little.

Following the half hour mark Town made ground through the middle and with Paul Fowler releasing Walters to run and turn his marker Town slowly gained some momentum and cohesion in attack.

Then with the break approaching and Town gaining control Fowler’s strong shot went just wide of the mark but with Town over-complicating in front of goal the hosts were let off the hook several times, despite disarray in defence, as they managed to scramble the ball clear.

And with the half time whistle the last thing Town wanted it remained goalless at the break.

Town started the second period pace and tempo. With little quarter asked or given Fowler and Greg Coombes exerted their authority in the middle and Town soon made the break-through they had threatened.

Following a quickly taken free kick a neat chipped ball from Fowler saw Danny Thomas force his way between both his markers and slot the ball past Morris to give Town the important edge with ten minutes of the second period gone.

Neath reacted immediately but it was Town who doubled the advantage three minutes later. With Brace breaking from defence and down the flank his cross into the box beat the cover and Walters provided the simplest of finishes for a two goal cushion.

Having consolidated Town’s lead Walters was immediately substituted with new signing Easter a former Cardiff City professional and Wales U21 cap making a lively Town debut. But the hosts were in no mood to roll over.

A free kick from the edge of the box saw Town defend deep and with Neil Thomas penned in by his own defence Hill got his head to the ball before the advancing keeper and the hosts halved the deficit.

In a spirited game played on an immaculate surface Town made use of the strong bench to consolidate the lead with Smothers replacing Coombes with twenty minutes remaining.

With an ebb and flow to the game both sides continuing to create half chances in the closing quarter. Town finished strongly and with manager Deryn Brace targeting the first six games to establish a positive foundation to the campaign Town deservedly claimed the result to round off a series of four games on the road.

Clearly delighted that his side had maintained the momentum from the previous week’s win manager Deryn Brace said:

“Definitely a very important result. It was important that we maintained the momentum from the Llangefni result".

“Neath are a decent side, they showed that tonight. It was their first home game and they wanted to do well".

Brace conceded that his side had been put on the back foot early on. “We had to weather the storm a little in the first half but as we got a hold of the game we didn’t want half time to come.

He added, “I was delighted with the way the boys came out in the second half and attacked. We got the two goal lead but a little disappointed that we didn’t hold on to it long enough to kill off the game. We gave them a bit of a life-line with the goal from the free kick but overall a more than positive result".

“As a team we were outstanding. Liam Hancock and Richard Hughes are developing into a strong mobile pairing and they stood up to the onslaught when it came. Paul Fowler just gets better and better".

With the Richmond Park boss establishing a strong squad there is clearly competition for places.

“There is competition for places and I have to give credit to the boys on the bench they showed a positive attitude. When they get back into the team, and they will get back into the team, they will do a great job".

Of his promising new signing Brace said: "Jamal looked lively. He likes to attack but has got to get used to the physicality of the league. And when he does that, he will be a great addition to the squad".

Neath Athletic: Morris, Timothy, Jones, Folland, Bevan, D'Auria (Price 59'), Pockett, Pridham (Evans 80'), French (Jenkins 73'), Hill, Rees.

Carmarthen Town : N Thomas, Hughes, Brace, Coombes (Smothers 70'), Hancock, C Thomas, D Thomas, Hicks, Fowler, Walters (Easter 61'), Cotterrall. Sub not used: Palmer.

Attendance: 217 Referee: Mark Whitby