11.12.10 CARMARTHEN TOWN 1 NEWTOWN AFC 1

A last gasp goal by Tim Hicks earned the Old Gold a fortunate point from a game in which visitors Newtown had far the better chances and had taken a 75th. minute lead through the on-loan Craig Whitfield.

Looking on course to register their first win since late August the visitors ultimately had to settle for a point, but were indebted to veteran keeper Lee Williams who brought off a superb one handed save from a Sacha Walters injury time free kick as Town came within a whisker of stealing a full tally of points.

It was Walters who had the first meaningful effort on goal when his snap shot found the side netting after ten minutes. At the other end Mark Lloyd Williams was denied by the presence of Steve Evans, returning to the side after injury, and Mike Lewis in the home goal.

Indeed Lewis went on to produce a string of saves which kept Town in the game. First half stops with his feet denied Lloyd Williams and the keeper, who looked fully recovered from his recent injury, did well to smother an effort from the TNS loanee Whitfield.

Town also posed a threat with Williams being tested by efforts from Darren Griffiths and Kieran Howard. But with neither side finding a finish it remained goalless at the break.

The second half started in similar fashion with Lewis again denying Lloyd Williams whilst former Town defender Paul Keddle’s shot across the box lacked a final touch to convert the opportunity. Town’s best effort followed a fine run by Griffiths. But once again Williams smothered the forward's final effort.

Deservedly the visitors broke the deadlock in the 76th minute. Lloyd Williams broke quickly down the left and his delivery into the box found Whitfield who gave Lewis no chance.

Town were forced to up their game in search of an equaliser. And with manger Tomi Morgan urging his team forward both Corey Thomas and Gary Bansor were introduced from the bench to provide fresh momentum.

Then as the game entered the final minute of normal time Town forced a succession of corners. With Nick Harrhy curling a flag kick in from the Town right Hicks rose above the defence to nod past the Newtown keeper to snatch the late leveller.

With the 4th official’s board showing 4 minutes of added time, Town broke quickly from the back before Walters was brought down by defender Shane Sutton. With the Newtown captain receiving his second yellow in a two-minute spell the Robins finished with ten men. And in what could have been a cruel twist of fate Walters lifted the resulting free kick skillfully over the defensive wall but Williams was equal to the task to deny the wing-man as both sides, in the end, settled for a share of the spoils.

Town: M Lewis, L Phillips, S Evans, D Griffiths (G Bansor 83'), L Bevan, K Howard, L Jenkins (C Thomas 68'), D Griffiths, N Harrhy, T Hicks, S Walters Subs not used: B Briers, O Ardolino.

Newtown: L Williiams, L Hartshorn, P Keddle, C Whitfield (J Evans 83'), J Breeze (G Cadwallader 68'), S Sutton, J McKenna, D Blain, G Partridge (S Jones 89'), M Lloyd-Williams, A Worton Attendance: 306 Referee: Darren Adie

29.12.10 HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY 3 CARMARTHEN TOWN 2

There was little festive cheer for Town following the resumption of fixtures after the weather-enforced layoff. In mid week Town travelled to the new Bridge Meadow and following a finely balanced game former Town favourite Danny Thomas probably proved the difference. With little to choose between the sides throughout Thomas scored a brace and was pivotal to many of the Bluebirds moves.

Jack Christopher and Sacha Walters both had early runs but the first real chance came in the third minute when Town were forced to clear Gareth Elliot’s header off the line. With the game end-to-end Town broke the deadlock just after the quarter hour. Tim Hicks was brought down by Lee Jarman some five yards outside the box and with Walters lifting the resulting free kick over the wall keeper Lee Idzi misjudged the bounce and Town took an early lead. Walters had a golden opportunity to make it 2-0 a minute later but with the ball at his feet he took one touch to many before his shot was blocked.

Then on 23 minutes the Bluebirds were back on level terms. Town let a high ball bounce and with the resulting hurried clearance sliced the ball fell to the unmarked Christopher who lobbed the advancing keeper to make it 1 -1.

Town looked static at corners and were forced to clear Jarman’s header off the line. Mike Lewis made amends for a missed punched clearance by saving Danny Thomas’ snap shot before denying Christopher twice in as many minutes after the wing man had broken clear on goal.

At the other end Darren Griffiths did well to put Walters through but the wing-man fired into the side netting. With a couple of minutes remaining Walters’ persistence along the touch line saw him win the ball before clipping it in to Nick Harry who was denied by the post. Then with a minute of the half remaining the Bluebirds broke and with Lewis getting down to Christopher’s low shot Thomas was on hand to net the parried ball to secure the advantage at the break.

Seven minutes after the resumption Town were back on level terms. With the visitors pressing the hosts failed to clear a corner ball and Tim Hicks side footed home from close in.

Town lost Corey Thomas through injury just before the hour. Then with Town losing a little momentum following the change Kyle Graves found Christopher and with the winger crossing in Danny Thomas found himself free but failed to capitalise.

With manager Tomi Morgan sending on forward Oliver Ardolino to replace Gary Bansor Dale Griffiths dropped from midfield into his customary role at the back. Harrhy’s low shot was well stopped by Idzi and with Hudgell replacing O’Sullivan for the hosts half-time sub Tom Ramasut broke through the middle.

Then with Town continually conceding possession the hosts gained confidence to press for a winner. Then after Richard Evans’ low shot was turned wide by Lewis it was Thomas who secured the win, with a minute to go, turning in a lose ball after Town failed to clear a very contentious late free kick.

Manager Tomi Morgan was clearly unhappy with the outcome. “What was most disappointing against Haverfordwest was that we didn’t even make them work for the win. We gave away goals with unforced errors. At the end we gave away too much possession. Yes the free kick at the end was very debatable but we failed to deal with it”.

County: L Idzi, K Graves, G Elliott, M Dodds, L Jarman, M Collins (T Ramasut 46'), C O`Sullivan (L Hudgell 69'), N Thomas, D Thomas, J Christopher, R Evans Subs not used: K Griffiths, S Williams, G Lees-Griffiths

Town: M Lewis, L Phillips, S Evans, G Bansor (O Ardolino 60'), L Bevan, D Griffiths, C Thomas (G Passmore 53'), T Hicks, N Harrhy, D Griffiths (B Briers 84'), S Walters Sub not used: M Davies. Referee: Wayne Stephens Attendance: 214