TOWN'S PRE SEASON PROGRAMME

Thursday 22nd. July - Hundleton 9 - 0 W
Saturday 24th July - Caersws (Away) 3 - 1 W
Thursday 29th July - Rhayader Town (Away) 4-4 D
Saturday 31st July - Mangnotsfield Utd (Away) 4-1 L
Tuesday 3rd August - Afan Lido (Away) 6-3 L
Thursday 5th. August - Bridgend Town (Away) 1-0 L
Saturday 7th August - West End (Away) 3 - 0 W
Tuesday 10th August - Barry Town (Home) KO 7.30 pm

PRE SEASON KICKS OFF

Tomi Morgan took his squad to Pembrokeshire on Thursday evening for a pre season fixture against Hundleton and despite the comfortable 9-0 score line Town were made to work hard for their win.

A brace each for Tim Hicks (photo right), Mark Pritchard and Daniel Ramsey with Andy Evans, Nick Harry and Jody Thomas adding a goal apiece gave Morgan an excellent opportunity to view his squad in a competitive situation.

“The players have been very impressive in training sessions but tonight was really useful to see them in a competitive situation. They haven't been playing together long and its given me a chance to look at some formations. There were some very positive performances tonight.

On an immaculate surface Hicks and Evans had given Town a two goal advantage at the break. A three goal blitz in a ten minute period just after the resumption overcame Hundleton's resistance and with Town pressing their advantage they were rewarded for their considerable endeavour.

On Saturday Town travel to Caersws FC and on Tuesday evening Town will entertain Welsh League First. Division outfit Pontardawe Town. KO 6.30 pm. Photo: Tim Hicks sees his first half shot blocked on the line as Dale Griffiths & Nick Harrhy look on [Rob Lloyd].

CAERSWS FC 1 CARMARTHEN TOWN 3

A Tim Hicks goal on the quarter hour gave Town a deserved first half lead. But with Caersws dominating for a period following the break Richard Evans brought the Bluebirds level just before the hour. Nick Harrhy restored Town’s lead three minutes later and when Cory Thomas was rewarded for his considerable effort throughout with a late goal the score line flattered Town’s second half performance a little.

With Neil Mitchell probing and Mark Griffiths persistent Caersws tested Town's defence with a few early moves. But after Mark Pritchard went close for Town on 10 minutes Hicks steadied the nerves when he met Kevin Davies’ curling cross at the back post to net with a low header. Steve Evans had a couple of long-range efforts for Town before Mitchell broke through Town's back line sending his finish just wide of the upright.

Manager Tomi Morgan made several changes throughout the half as he tried various combinations in defence, midfield and attack. And if Town had had the better of the first period the Bluebirds looked to upset their visitors following the break. Mitchell should have levelled right from the restart and it took a goal-line clearance from Kevin Davies to keep the hosts out. Town trialist keeper Keiran Blackburn saved well from Andy Thomas but with Richard Evans providing a constant outlet for the hosts he was rewarded on 57 minutes when he levelled with a low shot after Town had lost possession in mid-field.

Stung Town quickly restored the advantage on the hour. Pritchard held up well and having seen his shot hit the post Harrhy followed-in to net the rebound. Hicks’ overhead shot was held well by keeper Alex Ramsey before a scrambled clearance at the other end denied the hosts a second leveller.

But with Town regaining momentum and purpose Andy Evans headed Steve Evan’s curling cross inches wide before the provider saw his own drilled shot parried away by the keeper. Ramsey then did well to deny Andy Evans with his feet before Thomas made the game safe with a minute remaining after Andy Evan’s shot had been parried wide and Thomas netted the return.

Manager Tomi Morgan was pleased with the win but conceded it had been a difficult second half. “It was a tough workout. I thought we held our shape well in the first period but we were punished a bit in the second half when we went off the boil for a period. But it was worthwhile as I was able to try several combinations throughout”.

Town: K Blackburn, K Davies, H sexton, C Thomas, D Griffiths, G Bonsor, N Harrhy, T Hicks, S Evans, L Jenkins, M Pritchard, L Bevan, A Evans.

MAGNOTSFIELD UNITED 4 CARMARTHEN TOWN 1
Despite a competitive performance Town were left to rue the cost of individual mistakes on their first ever visit to Cossham Street.

With both keepers making crucial early saves, Corey Thomas was denied by Danny Groves whilst Town triallist Kieran Blackburn did well to keep out front man Mike Meaker. But with only three minutes gone Town struggled to clear following a corner and Matt Grove’s shot took a slight deflection to loop beyond Blackburn and give the hosts an early lead.

Town, who were showning plenty of early endeavour with some neat inter-passing, were soon back on level terms. Steve Evans and Thomas provideding the link for Sacha Walters to finish. Town looked competitive and with Mark Pritchard holding up well the front man provided a good outlet for the visitors. Meaker continued to cause problems with his tricky play but with Town producing some flowing moves Thomas saw his lobbed shot cleared off the line by defender Neil Arndale.

Kareem Randall’s ball across goal went very close after probing play from Andy Guerny. But with Town playing a casual ball infield Harley Purnell pounced to give the hosts the lead for the second time just after the half hour mark. With little between the sides and Town looking to level once again Groves punished Town for the second time on the stroke of half time when he was allowed to run across the box to bag his brace and give the hosts a comfortable score-line that did not really reflect the balance of the first half play.

Mike Lewis took the gloves for the second period but after a very positive start unfortunately had to withdraw following a clash of heads. Mitchell Page for the hosts somehow scooped the ball over from two yards with the goal at his mercy and Walters should have put Town back in contention when well placed on the hour mark. But with Magnotsfield introducing a raft of second half substitutions a late strike from sub Jack Pitcher put a final gloss on the scoreline for the hosts.

Manager Tomi Morgan was pleased with Town’s first half showing. “I thought it was a very competitive performance especially first half. I thought we were as good as them”.

“It was a very good work out, a tough game and a good opportunity to look at individuals. But we were let down by individual mistakes, I don’t really think the score-line reflected our contribution".

Town: K Blackburn, L Jenkins, C James, G Bansor, D Griffiths, S Walters, S Evans, C Thomas, K Howard, A Evans, G Pritchard, D Griffiths, M Lewis. Photo: Mark Pritchard takes on the Magnotsfield defence.

07.08.10 Pre Season Friendly
WEST END 0 CARMARTHEN TOWN 3
On the score sheet for Town were Craig Frater, Gary Bansor and Keiran Howard.

10.08.10 Pre Season Friendly
CARMARTHEN TOWN 1 BARRY TOWN 1

A competitive and entertaining encounter with plenty of action at both ends. Early Barry action saw Coslett and Dixon go close whilst Walters and Harrhy were both denied by visiting keeper Bradley.

Both goals had an element of luck. Steve Evans' deflected shot broke the deadlock for Town on thirteen minutes but the Welsh League outfit were back on level terms twelve minutes later when a mix up in defence saw Dixon pounce on a sloppy back pass to net past Lewis.

Pritchard's well struck free kick from the edge of the box was blocked out by a crowded Barry defence and as half time approached Town found themselves under pressure as they conceded a string of free kicks in vulnerable areas.

Following the break both sides made changes but the pace of the game remained lively. Both sides continued to create and Lewis did well to palm Sadler’s snap shot to safety and last ditch defending saw Town forced to clear their lines as Barry pressed following a corner.

With both sides looking for a decider Howard played in Thomas who's well struck effort was tipped to safety by Bradley before Bell glance Town's bar to leave it a goal apiece at the death.

Town: Lewis, Davies, James, Bansor, Griffiths, Walters, Evans, Howard Harrhy, pritchard, Griffiths, Thomas, Frater, Hicks, Evans, Jenkins.

Barry: Bradley, Bashir, Coslett, Huggins, Clare, Maxwell, Blatchford, Hartrey, Jones, Dixon, Sadler, Jenkins, Simpson, Bell, Misbah, Holly, Searle.