26.12.05 CARMARTHEN TOWN 2 HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY 3

There was little Christmas cheer for Town on Boxing Day as they were edged out in a five goal thriller by local rivals Haverfordwest County at Richmond Park. With both sides reduced to ten men late on Town failed to redress the two goal first half deficit; despite a much improved performance in the second period.

Town conceded early when Richard Adams’ shot from the edge of the area beat Andrew Delve at his near post and with County continuing to dominate the influential Nicky Palmer put them further ahead having found space at the edge of the box to coolly slot the ball home.

But with keeper Lee Kendall denying Town’s front man Danny Thomas the visitors retained their advantage at the break - aided by a lacklustre and disjointed performance by the hosts.Following the restart County maintained their comfortable lead with little to inspire apart from substitute Craig Lima’s effort that was cleared off the line by County player manager Deryn Brace.

However, Town were given some hope in the 70th minute when Kevin Ahearne Evans released Thomas down the right for the front man to square the ball to Rhodri Jones on the edge of the box who finished well to give the Town some impetus. Thomas then came close with a header immediately after and with Town continuing to press their situation once again looked perilous when defender Martyn Giles was dismissed for his second bookable offence.

Numbers were soon balanced out as County defender Wayne Jones also collected his second yellow but with both sides in determined mood the game was finely balanced.With only minutes remaining County looked to have made the game safe with a fine individual effort by Lee Hudgell. But there was still time in the final minute for Town to grab a second when Evans powered home from a corner. But it was too little too late and County were not to be denied their win.

Carmarthen Town Delve, Carter, Lloyd ( Lima 46'), Giles, Aherne-Evans, Jones, Smothers, Hardy, Dodds (Davies 84'), Thomas, Cotterrall. Sub not used: S.Hughes.

Haverfordwest County Kendall , Brace, W.Jones, Blain, W.Thomas, R.Jones, O'Sullivan (O.Thomas 89'), Palmer, Adams (Shakir 90'), Catlin, Hudgell. Sub not used: McNabney.

Attendance: 578 Referee: WE A Tregonning

17.12.05 RHYL 1 CARMARTHEN TOWN 0

Town made a stuttering start as they were forced to defend a string of early free kicks. But with Lee Hunt and Andy Moran probed down the left for the hosts and Danny Thomas and Sasha Walters running strongly at the Lilywhites’ defence, setting up a good opportunity for Richard Kennedy in front of goal, the game quickly became an evenly balanced affair.

Greg Stones became the pivot for much of Rhyl’s creativity and Town’s back line worked well to police the danger. At the other end only a point blank save from Rhyl keeper Paul Whitfield denied Mark Dodds’ brave diving header after a swerving run from Cotterall out on the left. But despite chances at both ends it remained score-less at the break.

Shortly after the break the hosts made, what proved to be, the crucial breakthrough. A long kick downfield by Whitfield was carelessly cleared into midfield and with Adamson picking up on the resulting loose ball Moran and Brewerton linked well to set up the return for the winger who coolly swept the ball home to give the hosts the vital edge.

Town refused to be bowed and pushed forward in search of the equaliser. Cotterall provided for both Dodds and Thomas but with the hosts defending in numbers and Whitfield saving well at the base of the post the Rhyl back line remained intact.With fifteen minutes remaining Cotterall, who had had some success down the left, put in long corner to the back of the box. But, having controlled the ball well and beaten his marker, substitute Mattie Davies put his effort over and the opportunity passed.

Richard Carter replaced Walters with ten minutes remaining enabling Hardy, who had been outstanding all afternoon, to push forward into midfield as Town kept up the momentum in search of the equaliser.But with Town now fully committed the back three had to be alert to the danger as Moran and substitute Gary Powell both broke dangerously. Delve’s reaction save at the base of the post denied Powell at point blank range and his command of the goalmouth cleared some threatening high balls.

There will not be many occasions when, having performed so well, Mark Jones’ side will not get some reward for such a positive performance.

Carmarthen Town : Delve, Hardy, Lloyd, Giles, Aherne-Evans, Jones, Walters (Carter 82'), Kennedy (Smothers 68'), Dodds (Davies 73'),Thomas, Cotterrall.

Rhyl FC : Whitfield, M.Powell, Taylor , Stones, Horan, Wilson (Connolly 90'), Brewerton, Moran, Hunt (G.Powell 82'), Evans, Adamson. Referee S L Evans.

10.12.05 Carmarthen Town 8 Grange Quins 0

A five goal second half rout, that included a hat-trick for Danny Thomas, saw Town add to their three goal first half lead to seal a comprehensive win over Grange Quins at Richmond Park today.

Thomas, who also had a hand in two other goals, led the second half onslaught adding to first half strikes from Sasha Walters, Mark Dodds and a spot kick from Gary Lloyd.

An own goal from Gareth Elliot added to the visitor's misery and when Mattie Davies rounded the keeper with minutes remaining Quins' nightmare was complete.

But the damage could have been worse had not Omar Abdillahi kept Town's defence on their toes during the first half and Chris Golton's point blank stops in the second frustrated the home attack.

The win sees Town climb up to sixth and with games in hand on those above manager Mark Jones will face two difficult encounters over the next couple of weeks with some confidence. But the afternoon belonged to Gary Lloyd who was making his historic 400'th League start.

Carmarthen Town Delve, Hardy, Lloyd, Giles, Aherne-Evans, Jones (Smothers 54'), Walters, Kennedy (Carter 70'), Dodds, Thomas, Cotterall (Davies 46').

Grange Harlequins Golton, Tingley (Bishop 31'), Hopkins (Stacey 31'), Evans, Elliott, Shephard, Raven, McIlroy, Abdul, Abdillahi, Showdery.

Attendance: 311 Referee: R J Ellingham