14.08.10 CARMARTHEN TOWN 2 ABERYSTWYTH TOWN 3

Five goals in sixteen second - half minutes saw Town miss out by the odd goal in this new look League opener at Richmond Park on Saturday. But despite his disappointment at the result Town boss Tomi Morgan felt his side’s performance had been positive.

"Of course I'm disappointed at the result. It was defensive mistakes and a little lack of focus that cost us but I thought overall we played well for 90 minutes and showed some quality."

"I think we created well and could well have got something out of the game with two good chances in the last ten minutes. I thought their keeper saved well to keep out Darren".

"We're virtually a new team and after pre season with nine new players in the squad your never sure how it will go. But I thought we did well as a unit and a team and if we are to get something this season we are going to have to play together. We can only get better as the boys get to know one another better, but generally I'm pleased with the performance".

Following a cautious and somewhat indifferent first period two goals in two minutes just after the hour, one for each side, brought this somewhat tame game to life. Lee Bevan breaking the deadlock when he right footed in at the back post to put Town ahead on 62 minutes following a free kick after Craig Frater had been brought down out on the left.

But with Town losing focus for an instant Aber were soon back level when Steff Edwards headed them level after Town had failed to clear the box and the substitute had managed to get in front of a couple of markers.

With Town fielding a virtually totally new squad it took some time for the hosts to settle into the game. Ryan Marriott threatened down the right for the visitors and Ricky Evans sent in a string of free kicks from dangerous positions as Town struggled initially to come to terms with Aber’s loan signing.

But with both keepers dealing with the routine traffic Dale Griffiths' acrobatic effort was held by Aber keeper Steven Cann and Town’s new custodian Mike Lewis was alert to deny Lewis Codling's snap shot.

With Town coming more into the game Keiran Howard and Steve Evans became influential in mid-field and young Corey Thomas looked to be comfortable with his step up to Welsh Premier status. But with neither side finding a way through it remained goalless at the break.

The second half proved livelier and with the goals setting the game alight the last half hour saw a five-goal feast Having broken the deadlock Town responded positively to the setback of Aber’s equaliser but it was Aber that that forged ahead when Marriott met Craig Williams’ cross on 72 minutes with a determined header to give the visitors the lead. Within a minute the Seasiders had given themselves some daylight with a third. A speculative long ball forward saw Ricky Evans muscle out the defender to power past the keeper and make it 3-1.

But the new look Town showed plenty of character and endeavour. With twelve minutes remaining they reduced the arrears when Craig Frater lobed a long clearance from Lewis over the stranded Aber keeper to set up a grand stand finish.

With Frater miss-cueing his shot when well placed on the edge of the box and Cann doing well to denying sub Darren Griffiths with his feet with ten minutes remaining last year’s fourth place finishers preserved the slim advantage and Town will be disappointed not to have some reward for their considerable contribution to the game.

Unlike his first period in office at Richmond when Town scored a memorable 2-1 win over Barry Town there was no ‘Morgan magic’ to mark the new manager’s return. But, despite the early season result, Morgan can be pleased with his side’s positive performance that will build confidence in his squad for next week’s home encounter with Airbus UK.

Town: Mike Lewis (GK) Lee Jenkins, Kristian James, Dale Griffiths (C), Lee Bevan (Gary Bansor 75') Kieran Howard (Andy Evans 88'), Corey Thomas, Tim Hicks, Steve Evans, Nick Harrhy (Darren Griffiths 77'), Craig Frater.

Aberystwyth Town: Steven Cann (GK), Craig Williams, Gareth Hughes, James McCarten (Aneurin Thomas 82'), Siôn James, Conall Murtagh, Ryan Marriott, Bari Morgan (C), Lewis Codling (Luke Powell 85'), Ricky Evans,Cledan Davies (Steff Edward36').

Officials Referee: Darren Adie (Caldicot), Assistants: Paul Thomas & Mark Dyson. 4th Official Mark Whitby

21.08.10 CARMARTHEN TOWN 1 AIRBUS UK 4

Three first half goals, one each for Andy Moran, Ryan Edwards and Danny Desmoreaux set up a deserved first win for the visitors who dominated proceedings throughout. But with Tim Hicks reducing the arrears just before the break to give Town a glimmer of hope, Moran then bagged his second with five minutes remaining to inflict a second consecutive home defeat on Town that leaves Tomi Morgan's side disappointingly at the foot of the table.

Commenting after the game manager Tomi Morgan said, "Our defending was shocking. We gave the ball away too many times and we let Carl Owen just run at us. You just cannot do that. And yes of course we were punished".

"We had a good 20 minute spell in the second half but didn't get anything out of it and Mike Lewis made some decent saves to keep us in contention. But we're making too many individual mistakes and it’s costing us. It could result in some changes".

Both sides made one change to their starting line-up. Lee Phillips made his first appearance for Town at right back with the experienced Lee Jenkins moving on to the left at the expense of Kristian James. Sacha Walters returned to the bench for Town and Giovanni Feliciello was preferred to Rhys Roberts at left back for Airbus although the defender’s day was to end on a sour note when he was red carded in injury time for a second yellow.

With both sides looking to secure their first points of the season Town suffered an early setback as the Wingmakers made a flying start. With Lee Bevan adjudged to have fouled Carl Owen in the box Ryan Edwards dispatched the spot kick on seven minutes. Town responded positively. Phillips’ well timed floated pass found Craig Frater and with the front man playing in Hicks keeper Kristian Rogers did well to block out the threat.

On the quarter hour with Town struggling to contain the Broughton based outfit they conceded a number of free kicks and corners. And with the visitors having some considerable success raiding down the right Town struggled to win any possession. Owen’s speculative dipping effort went inches over before Airbus doubled the advantage just before the half hour. With Town keeper Mike Lewis committed Danny Desmoreaux beat his marker to a poorly cleared ball to net into the open goal.

Moran, Owen and Matthew Cook continued to taunt the Town defence and with Desmoreaux and Ashley Williams probing from mid-field Lewis did well to parry away an Airbus strike. But with Cook playing the ball back in square Moran had an easy finish for his first goal for Airbus to make it 3-0 with six minutes of the half remaining. Stung, Town pressed to reduce the arrears. With Airbus defending Corey Thomas played a half clearance back in for Hicks to net the flicked-on ball from close in and make it 1-3 at the break.

Following the resumption Town made more of an impression as they looked more competitive. The introduction of three substitutes gave Town momentum and around the hour mark the Richmond Park outfit enjoyed their best period of the game as Thomas and Nick Harrhy linked well down the left. However, Airbus could easily have added to the tally had it not been for some excellent keeping from Lewis who atoned for his first half mistake with an excellent save to deny Edwards a second spot kick on 62 minutes after Desmoreaux was brought down in the box.
Despite Harrhy and Sacha Walters testing the Airbus defence with a series of corners there was no reward and Kieran Howard was unlucky to see his shot deflected wide of the target after good work from Thomas.

And, having saved the penalty, Lewis then denied Moran a second before stopping a first time effort from sub Paul McManus and winning a one-on-one with Owen after the referee had played the advantage.

But with Owen quick to capitalise on a short back pass he set up the second for Moran with five minutes remaining. With Lewis blocking the front man's first time effort the ball rebounded kindly to Moran for the striker to net the simplest of goals to bag his brace. With the game into injury time Feliciello was dismissed and an unimpressed Tomi Morgan was left to consider what was, in reality, a very disappointing Town performance.

Town: Mike Lewis (GK) Lee Phillips, Lee Jenkins, Dale Griffiths (C), Lee Bevan (Gary Bansor 57'), Kieran Howard, Corey Thomas, Tim Hicks, Steve Evans (Sacha Walters 63'), Nick Harrhy, Craig Frater (Darren Griffiths 57') Subs not used: Oliver Ardolino (Y).

Airbus: Kristian Rogers, Ryan Edwards, Giovanni Feliciello, Matthew Woodward, Marl Allen (C), Ashley Williams, Jack Abraham (Richard Dorman 69'), Danny Desormeaux (Paul McManus 75), Andy Moran, Carl Owen, Matthew Cook (Phil Clarke 54'). Referee Wayne Stephens.

27.08.10 PORT TALBOT TOWN 1 CARMARTHEN TOWN 2

What a difference a week makes. With Town facing table topping Port Talbot Town, who had not conceded goals or points, it was a tough assignment for the pointless Richmond Park outfit at the Genquip Stadium on Friday night. But Tomi Morgan’s men produced a creative and determined display against the previously unbeaten ‘Steelmen’ to take all three points and kick start their season as they move up to eighth position in the early season table.

Tim Hicks' 29th minute penalty set Town on the way and substitute Geraint Passmore doubled the advantage with a debut goal eight minutes after the break to extend the lead. But with Martin Rose halving the deficit from the spot with a quarter hour remaining Town saw out a late surge from the hosts to dent the Steelmen's positive start to the season.

Following the game manager Tomi Morgan felt that eradicating defensive mistakes had been an important element of the win. “I thought we fully deserved the win and I thought we showed considerable effort and team spirit tonight. Defensively we were far better and tighter and importantly we didn’t make mistakes. It was a good team performance”.

“It’s not easy coming to the GenQuip and not many teams will take points away from here. After the opening two games some people have already written us off as relegation material. Perhaps after tonight they will have to change their minds.

“We’ve got quite a bit of work to settle in as a team and a club. When you are building a new side it takes more time to gel and get things right than when you have an established team ”.

“Both lads took their goals well. We had to change a little with the early substitution but I thought there were some good performances out there tonight. I hope the boys will take some confidence from the result and the performance”.

With Morgan having promised changes Darren Griffiths, up front, and Gary Bansor, in defence, both made starts for Town and when new signing Passmore replaced the injured Lee Jenkins on eighteen minutes with Steve Evans dropping into left back to accommodate the debutant in mid-field in this competitive top v bottom encounter.

Lee Phillips headed narrowly over following Evans’ free kick. And with the midfielder looking comfortable in defence Town maintained plenty of early possession, playing mainly in the opposition's half.

Following the twenty-minute mark Lloyd Grist began to push forward for the hosts and with Lee John sending in some dangerous crosses and corners Town had to focus defensively and Passmore got in a covering tackle to keep out the lively Drew Fahiya. Then with Sacha Walters tricking his way into the opposition’s box Grist handled the ball on the floor having tackled the wingman and the ‘Steelmen’ conceded their first goal of the season as Hicks sent Lee Kendall the wrong way to convert the spot kick easily.

Town came close to extending the lead with a superb move that ran the length of the field but with half time approaching the Old Gold were corralled and had to defend in numbers with Bansor making a couple of crucial interventions.

Following the break Kieran Howard showed great skill to release Hicks down the left and having come inside and turned both Matthew Rees and Fahia on the edge of the box his shot was denied by the crossbar before the ‘Steelmen’ made a double substitution and Town doubled the advantage. With Griffiths initiating some slick passing across field Passmore played in Walters who steered the ball to the overlapping Phillips. With the right back’s cross half intercepted by Kyle Edwards Passmore picked up on the lose ball to strike low to the keeper’s left from the corner of the box to give Town some daylight.

On the hour Grist’s weaving run rang the alarm bells and Mike Lewis made a superb point blank save to deny Martin Rose after Lee John had pick-pocketed Evans and launched the front man. But when Passmore was adjudged to have fouled Matthew Thompson just inside the box there was no denying Rose a second time as he converted the spot kick to put the hosts back in contention with a quarter hour remaining.

Kendall launched a series of long balls to try and set-up the ‘Steelmen’ with a late equaliser. But it was a long clearance from John that set-up the best chance for Luke Bowen as the midfielder got goal-side of his marker but fired into the side netting as Lewis advanced to narrowed the angle.

Town were clearly resolved to see-out the four minutes of added time to record a confidence-boosting win and deservedly the Richmond Park outfit can take some confidence from the performance as well as the result ahead of fixtures against the Welsh Cup winners and League Champions.

Port Talbot Town: L Kendall, L De-Vulgt (N Cotterrall 54'), L Grist, G Phillips (L Surman 66'), M Rees, K Edwards, L John, L Bowen, M Rose, L McCreesh, D Fahiya (M Thompson 54')

Town: M Lewis, L Phillips, L Jenkins (G Passmore 18'), D Griffiths, G Bansor, K Howard, C Thomas, T Hicks (C Frater 86'), S Evans, D Griffiths (A Evans 68'), S Walters. Referee: Kevin Morgan