21.02.04
CAERSWS FC 3 CARMARTHEN TOWN 0

Carmarthen Town’s recent run of improving form on their travels came to an abrupt with a comprehensive defeat at the hands of Mid Wales side Caersws FC.

Two goals in the opening quarter proved too difficult a hurdle for Town to surmount and although competing well a third late goal gave the hosts a comfortable win that sees them stretch their unbeaten run to five games.

Town started the game brightly with Jon Keaveny having an early chance but it was the home side who went ahead, capitalising on poor marking at a free kick, as Geraint Lewis rose unopposed to head past Tony Pennock to give the hosts a sixth minute lead.

Then with Town readjusting to a change in formation, following the loss of influential defender Paul Reid with a badly cut knee, Graham Evans extended the Bluebird’s lead when he capitalised on Pennock’s uncustomary error when clearing a back pass to make it 2-0 with only thirteen minutes gone.

The early setback galvanised Town efforts and although they had their fair share of possession Town, lacking any real bite in front of gaol, rarely threatened Andy Mulliner the home custodian.

Dale Price saw his shot deflected on 35 minutes and substitute Owen Thomas, who had replaced the injured Reid, saw an effort go wide on the stroke of half time.

Town dominated the start of the second half with Nicky Burke leading his line well.
But it was Graham Evans who almost made it three on 48 minutes as he shot over when clear on goal.

Shaun Chapple was in action at both ends when on the hour his 30-yard free kick went narrowly over whilst at the other end, ten minutes later, he provided the last line of defence clearing Andy Marfell’s shot off the line.

A Town break saw Adam Moore’s header held by Mulliner and with referee Andy Woodthorpe turning down a penalty appeal by the hosts Caersws once again become dominant.

With four minutes remaining defender Hugh Clarke headed home Jamie Davies’ cross to score his second goal in successive games and seal the win for the Bluebirds who now move up two places to sixth position in the League.

With Barry Town gaining their first win of the season Town will cast some anxious glances in the direction of the Jenner Park outfit as Town’s advantage is now reduced to seven points.

Carmarthen Town: Pennock, de Vulgt, Reid (Thomas 10'), Barnhouse, York, Moore, Chapple, Rossiter, N.Burke, Price (Davies 71'), Keaveney. Sub not used: Lewis.

14.02.04
BARRY TOWN 0 CARMARTHEN TOWN 0

Town now have a more familiar, settled look and the finishing eleven at Newtown made a start at Jenner Park and with Jon Keaveny making some powerful runs Town had the better of the early exchanges.

For Barry captain Dave Sherman provided a fulcrum but with Town finding it difficult to break down a packed defence Barry gained a little confidence as former ‘Seasider’ Mark Duckett’s free kick penetrated the Town defence and Gavin Allan’s strike was cleared off the line just before the break.

Following the break Town applied pressure and clearly had the upper hand. With Owen Thomas and Dale Price prominent the visitors forced a series of corners. But the game turned somewhat when Dean Philpot pushed over Keaveny in the box and Lee Rudall saved Nicky Burke’s indifferent penalty.

With Duckett and young Luke Sherbon running strongly at the Town defence Barry began to threaten and when Allen broke clear on goal it was down to the in-form Pennock to squeeze him out and send his lobbed shot narrowly wide.

Then with the clock winding down Town saw a final opportunity denied as Chapple’s clever run beat the defence only for Gareth Elliot’s desperate goal line clearance to keep the game scoreless.

Carmarthen: Pennock, De Vulgt, Reid, Barnhouse, York, Moore Thomas, Rossiter (W. Price), Burke, Price (Chapple), Keaveny. Subs: Lewis.

10.02.04 (Tuesday)
Newtown AFC 1 Carmarthen Town 1

The Robin's starting brightly with the front trio of Barton, Smith and Wickham looking sharp and pulling the Town defence all ways. It was no surprise that Danny Barton netted a rebound in the 12th. minute to put the hosts ahead after Peter Smith's strike had been blocked by Pennock.

With Town failing to function throughout the early period Newtown squandered several opportunities. Barnhouse and York tightened things up at the back as Town began to get their act together. But with Newtown having a late rally just before the break there was little to choose between the sides.

Aizlewood replaced Fayers with Owen Thomas for the second half and with Dale Price influential Town looked a different side. Town leveled the score within a minute of the restart when a long ball found Price and Keaveny free in front of goal. Price grabbed the equaliser and both sides created chances as they went looking for a winner.

Pennock and Paul Edwards made crucial saves and it could have gone either way. On the hour Price's shot was blocked by Adrian Moody and with Newtown breaking from the clearance Gareth Hughes' screamer was tipped over by Pennock.

Ten minutes later Pennock once again denied Barton but with eight minutes of the game remaining Nicky Burke broke down the flank and squared the ball to Keaveny in front of goal. The striker took a second touch, enough to allow Edwards to smother him out, and a golden opportunity passed.

All square at the end with the score a fair reflection of the game but a valuable point for Town to build on last Saturday's clean sheet.

Carmarthen: Pennock, De Vulgt, Reid, Barnhouse, York, Fayers (Thomas), Moore, Rossiter, Burke, Price, Keaveny. Subs: Chapple, W. Price.

LOOSEMORE’S OF CARDIFF CHALLENGE CUP

CAERSWS FC 0 CARMARTHEN TOWN 0

Following this first leg, Semi-final tie of the Loosemores of Cardiff Challenge Cup Town coach Mark Aizlewood was delighted that Town had held high scoring and twice winners of the trophy Caersws FC to a creditable goalless draw.

“We thoroughly deserved the clean sheet. We changed things around a little and defended a bit deeper. With three up front I thought it suited us better.

“In the second half we brought on Wayne Price to mark Chris Venables and I think it had an effect.

“The important thing was that we didn’t concede. The lads deserved that. Not only does it give us a clean sheet for the next leg but also a boost for the two games we have this week”.

Caersws started brightly with the ever-threatening presence of prolific scorer Graham Evans and some corners and long throw-ins from Kevin Scott causing problems for Town’s defence.

The Bluebirds monopolised the early possession. Geraint Lewis probed from deep for the hosts and it took a full ten minutes for Town to settle on the very soft surface.

A Dale Price cross found Luke Fayers out on the left and the mid fielder’s 20-yard effort brought keeper Andy Mulliner into play.

On the quarter hour Nicky Burke and Jon Keaveny combined well up the right to fashion a half chance but Price’s shot from the edge of the box flew over Mulliner’s bar.

With the impressive Chris Venables influential Town had difficulty in clearing from defensive positions and when the former Shrewsbury Town youngster broke clear on 24 minutes it was left to Pennock to block his shot with only Price on hand to clear at the expense of a corner.

Town adapted to the difficult surface and for periods they posed more of a threat. But lacking invention in the final quarter Town huffed and puffed and the hosts were able to clear up at the back and provide a platform for their predatory front line.

Then with three minutes of the half remaining it was once again Venables who tested Town’s resolve as Pennock saved from close in after Evans had set up the youngster.

The hosts continued to dominate the early exchanges in the second half. With ten minutes gone Aizlewood introduced Wayne Price to shepherd the prominent Venables and with Paul Reid showing his best form of the season at left back Town began to make more of an impression on the game.

But the Bluebirds strike force continued to harass Town’s defences. Just after the hour Jamie Davies latched on to a Graham Jones cross from the right bringing out the best in Pennock. The danger remained and a minute later Davies shot wide of the back post.
Then with Shaun Chapple and Tristan Lewis being introduced for Rossiter and Fayers, Chapple’s distribution probed the home defence and RSU sponsored CarmarthenTown had their best spell of the game.

A last minute flurry saw Town launch a last ditch raid but Owen Thomas’ bobbled shot flew over under the attention of the experienced Bluebird back line.

Caersws will reflect on a number of squandered opportunities. But, having kept a clean sheet, Town will have gained a little confidence ahead of Saturday’s vital League clash with bottom placed Barry Town.

Carmarthen : Pennock, de Vulgt, Reid, Barnhouse, York, Fayers (Lewis), Thomas, Rossiter
(Chapple), Burke, D. Price (W. Price), Keaveny.