24.02.07 Connah’s Quay Nomads 4 Carmarthen Town 1

Having won six of their last eight matches Town found themselves on the wrong end of a Tommy Mutton hat-trick as Connah’s Quay Nomads took the honours at Cae-Y-Castell on Saturday condemning Town to a 4-1 defeat that sees the Richmond Park outfit slip one place to fifth, one point behind the Nomads.

Not having netted since November Mutton rekindled his finishing touch with a vengeance and with youngster Adam Dickenson showing his undoubted ability Town suffered the backlash of Connah’s Quay’s disappointing results of last week.

Town manager Mark Jones was honest in his assessment of the game.

“We got what we deserved. We didn’t deal with their front two from the first minute to the ninetieth and we paid the price.

“We allowed them to win more personal battles and when four or five lose out on personal battles you don’t win the game”, he added.

“We have to play a bit ugly sometimes especially on a ugly pitch. That’s not an excuse because they played some good football. We’ve been on a good run and we’ve got to get back on another one quickly. We’re still in contention and there is everything to play for.

“Today it was a lesson learnt and we come up against forwards who had a little better quality that what we’ve seen recently. We have to learn to deal with it.

“The front two were excellent. Dickinson has got to make it as a pro and Mutton is experienced and a quality forward as his hat-trick showed.

Looking forward to next Saturday’s Welsh Cup clash with Porthmadog Jones said,

“We’ll quickly put it behind us and get on with the next game. I’m quite pleased it’s a cup game. It will be a fresh challenge. Nobody will be thinking of points or positions. We will focus fully on the challenge.

“It’s a big game for us Porthmadog are a good side and they have a great record. They put TNS out but I’m confident we can do well.

Nomads manager Neville Powel was pleased that his side had put their two defeats behind them but was counting the cost of the win.

“I’m pleased. It was a very important game for us today. We took our chances. Last week against Bangor and Airbus we didn’t and we paid the price.

“It was important that we didn’t let our heads drop ahead of next week’s trip to Llanelli. But we’ve sustained a number of injuries and that’s worrying.

Jones made one change from last week’s starting line up, preferring mid fielder Colin Loss to Tom Ramasut in the heavy, wet and soft conditions. For the hosts, boss Neville Powell recalled Mutton to the starting line-up and handed Paul Carvill, the Irish U21 international, his Nomads debut.

Nomads got off to a good start testing Town with some early pressure. But, having broken from defence, it was the Richmond Park outfit that opened the scoring as Sasha Walters’ run on the flank forced and then delivered the corner ball for Paul Fowler to dummy past a defender and fire into the corner of the Nomads’ net to give Town the early advantage.

Having been stung Nomads responded immediately. Captain Marc Limbert and Dickinson were persistent as they turned Town’s defence and with Mutton always alert to any possibility Town found themselves on the defensive for periods.

Just before the twenty minute mark Mutton sparked the home comeback. With Town trying to play from defence on the sticky surface following a free kick Limbert returned the ball in and the predatory Mutton beat his marker at the far post to stab the ball home to level the score.

Nomads came close to extending the lead as Dickenson forced a corner and Danny Thomas cleared his own line and with the resulting return blocked Neil Thomas then made a low save to relieve the pressure.

Kris Thomas and Mutton became engaged in their own personal duel and with Paul Keddle working hard to shackle the ever present threat of Dickenson and Limbert on the flank Mutton’s snap shot in front of goal hit the ground and bounced over.

At the other end Kaid Mohamed’s individual run produced a good ball into the box and with Danny Thomas, who was on the receiving end of several heavy challenges, seeing his shot also bounce over Nathan Cotterrall’s raking cross was put behind by Craig Garside under pressure from the Town attack.

Four minutes into the second period Mutton and Dave Swanick linked well to provide for Mutton who grabbed his second when he switched inside and beat the cover with his angled drive to put the hosts ahead.

On a the rain soaked pitch Town continued to play football but with the back line outnumbered at times it proved a difficult task as Nomads’ physical presence was better suited to the heavy conditions. Having said that keeper Neil Thomas was rarely troubled.

Dickenson’s quality continued to show and his raiding run through the middle produced the killer punch. A one-two with Mutton before playing in Limbert who produced a strike into the roof of the net gave the hosts a two goal cushion and Town a very difficult task.

Liam Hancock replaced the injured Kaid Mohamed just before the hour necessitating Mark Dodds to move up front. But with Dodds providing more of a physical target and Loss’ set pieces causing problems, Walters continued his determined and persistent runs on the flank as Town enjoyed their best period of the game.

With fifteen minutes remaining and with Town pushing forward in numbers Mutton put the result beyond doubt. Compounding Town’s misery he fired home his hat-trick after substitute Phil Molyneux returned a poorly cleared free kick for Mutton to strike past Thomas from 15 yards.

Despite the defeat Town remain upbeat and will now turn their attentions to the challenges of the Welsh Cup Quarter Final and the visit of CPD Porthmadog to Richmond Park next Saturday.

Connah’s Quay Nomads: Smith, Swanick, Lovell (Roche 28'), Seargeant, Williams, Pinch (Jellicoe 63'), Limbert, Garside, Mutton, Dickinson, Carvill (Molyneux 68'). Sub not used: Melia

Carmarthen Town: N. Thomas, Brace, Keddle, Walters, Dodds, K. Thomas, D. Thomas, Loss (M. Davies 72'), Fowler, Mohamed (Hancock 56'), Cotterrall (Ramasut 72').

Attendance: 135 Referee: Maldwyn Williams

17.02.07 Carmarthen Town 2 Caersws FC 0

With a convincing second half performance Carmarthen completed a League double against Caersws FC. The Richmond Park outfit claimed all three points as they leap frogged next week's opponents, Connah’s Quay Nomads, into fourth position and Town manager Mark Jones has his sights firmly set on third position and a coveted European spot.

Following an even and goalless first period Sasha Walters’ angled drive broke the deadlock just after the hour and a spot kick from Nathan Cotteral ten minutes from time ensured that Town are now well placed to mount a serious challenge for a European placing.

The delighted Richmond Park boss said:

“The first half was pretty negative for both teams. But what I was really pleased with was the ability of our boys to get their game going again in the second half and really pass the ball and make pass after pass to turn a battling performance onto a footballing performance.

“Colin Loss made a difference when he came on and we rearranged a little. But to be fair I thought Sasha Walters had his best game of the season. He finished his goal well and he didn’t waste a ball.

“The back two were solid again, Chris Thomas and Mark Dodds play so well together and not a lot gets past them.

With the result putting Town above next Saturday’s opposition into fourth place Jones is relishing the challenge of the long trip to Deeside.

“Next week will be fantastic, were in fourth, three points behind Welshpool for third. If anybody is asking what’s our aim it is to make third and if we get third after that it’s to make second.

With the Richmond Park outfit stretching their unbeaten sequence to five games how realistic is a European challenge?

“Yes I think we can look to Europe. We’ve got our game together; the second half performance today deserved the three points definitely. Connah’s Quay next week is a vital game. But to be honest they are all big games from now on I think.

Caersws manager Mickey Evans was honest in his assessment and having to use his players judiciously is counting the cost of missed opportunities.

“I thought we should have come in half time with an advantage but in all honesty Carmarthen were better than us in the second half.

“We created well in the first half and closed down well. We had a chance to equalise, admittedly against the run of play, but I think loosing Geraint Lewis did make a difference.

“He’s not fully fit and we also rested Neil Mitchell. He’s a youngster and he’s played consistently and today with lads coming back into the squad it was an opportunity to give him a break.

“I think when we are at full strength we’re a good as anyone in the League but we’re not scoring at the moment. Graham Evans is carrying an injury and we need to put our chances away. We wasted a couple again today.

In an evenly contested first period both sides created chances. Caersws got off to a flying start with Walters having to clear a Colin Reynold’s header off the line. Keeper Neil Thomas parried Chris Venables’ effort whilst at the other end Andrew Mulliner produced a spectacular save to tip over Kaid Mohamed’s header.

The second half saw Town slowly exert control. With Loss replacing Tom Ramasut Town pushed their wide players forward and with Caersws losing Geraint Lewis the pendulum swung in favour of the hosts.

Mulliner did well to deny Cotterrall but when Fowler won the ball in mid field with a crunching tackle and fed Walters on the flank the wing man’s vicious angled drive beat Mulliner to give Town a deserved lead just after the hour mark.

Town had lived a little dangerously as both Graham Evans and Martin Plant picked up on some sloppy back passing at the back but having ridden their luck Mulliner, who had made several excellent saves throughout, turned from hero to villain when he brought down Danny Thomas in the box.

With Town captain Nathan Cotterrall firing home the spot kick ten minutes from time the three points were secured and an excellent second half performance extended Town’s unbeaten sequence to five games ahead of next week’s difficult trip to North Wales.

Carmarthen Town: 1 Neil Thomas, 2 Deryn Brace, 3 Paul Keddle, 4 Sasha Walters, 5 Mark Dodds, 6 Kris Thomas, 7 Danny Thomas, 8 Tom Ramasut (14 Colin Loss 49’), 9 Paul Fowler, 10 Kaid Mohamed (12 Mattie Davies 86’), 11 Nathan Cotterrall © (18 Dorian Davies 90’) Subs not used: 15 Liam Hancock, 16 Omar Salamman.

Caersws FC: 1 Andrew Mulliner, 2 Andrew Thomas ©, 3 Lloyd Grist, 4 Colin Reynolds, 5 Hugh Clarke, 6 Graham Jones, 7 Chris Venables (15 Mark Probert 85’), 8 Andy Davies (12 Neil Mitchell 68’), 9 Graham Evans, 10 Martin Plant, 11 Geraint Lewis (14 Jack Bermingham 65’).

Attendance: 246 Referee: Phil Southall (Cwmavon)

13.02.07 CARMARTHEN TOWN 2 CARDIFF CITY3 (AET)

It was the visiting Championship visitors that started strongly in this FAW Premier Cup Quarter final tie at a rain swept Richmond Park when Kevin Cooper rattled Town’s woodwork and loan-signing Iwan Redan went close.

Tom Ramasut did well for Town and it took a superb save from home keeper Neil Thomas to keep City at bay in an exciting opening period.

Having come close some minutes earlier Paul Fowler opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark with a snap shot through a crowded box that went beyond keeper David Forde to put Town ahead.

But with half time approaching Forde saved well from Nathan Cotterrall to deny the wing man an extension to the score.

Following the break Town did extend the lead when former Bluebird Danny Thomas finished a fine flowing move well as he turned and chipped the keeper after being given room in the box.

But with twenty five minutes remaining Cardiff were back in contention as Bradley Middleton headed back across goal for the experienced Kevin Campbell to finish and reduce the deficit.

Cotterrall came close to extending Town’s lead and sub Andre Ferretti should have levelled for the visitors when he put his shot just wide.

But with Kaid Mohamed’s powerful shot spilled against the post by Forde and Town looking as if they would reprise last year’s score line the Bluebirds forced the tie into extra-time.

Chris Gunter did well on the flank and Kevin Cooper provided for Curtis McDonald who headed into an empty net, right on the stroke of full time, to level the score.

Five minutes into extra time McDonald bagged his second of the night and put the visitors ahead for the first time when he latched on to a long ball and, having beaten his marker, rounded the keeper for a fine individual goal.

With Town throwing caution to the wind looking for the equaliser Forde did well to deny the hosts and the Championship outfit protected their hard earned lead well to claim revenge for last year’s defeat and book a semi final spot against Welsh Premier outfit TNS.

03.02.07 Carmarthen Town 0 Caersws FC 0 (Carmarthen Town win 5-4 on penalties)

Carmarthen Town are through to the quarter finals of this year’s Welsh Cup competition with a very attractive home tie against CPD Porthmadog in prospect.

With the fourth round tie ending goalless at the end of ninety minutes and with a further thirty minutes of extra time failing to produce a winner the game was decided by a penalty shootout.

Neil Thomas gave Town the initiative, saving the opening effort from Chris Venables, but with Andy Mulliner saving the third from Nathan Cotterall it was all square after five attempts and the shoot out went to sudden death.

Thomas, who has shown his form as a ‘stopper’ all season, once again gave Town the initiative by denying Graham Jones and it remained to Sasha Walters to hold his nerve and blast past Mulliner to put Town into the final eight of the prestigious cup competition.

Whilst Caersws were left to rue two golden first half opportunities Town coach Mark Aizlewood summed up the game succinctly.

“I don’t think it matters in a cup game who the best side is or who has the best chances. To be perfectly honest it’s all about who gets through to the next round. And we got through”.

With just one change in both camps, Paul Keddle claiming his place in the Town mid-field and Graham Evans returning from injury to bolster the Caersws attack, neither side dominated and the visitors with Venables and Neil Mitchell frequently first to the ball in mid field disrupted Town’s momentum with their commitment and tackling.

Early on Nathan Cotterrall linked well with Kris Thomas and Deryn Brace but the first clear chance fell to the visitors on the quarter hour when Graham Evans headed down and Mitchell, who was unmarked in front of goal, somehow failed to connect leaving Thomas to gather easily.

Ramasut provided well for Kaid Mohamed who fired straight at Mulliner but as half time approached Caersws turned up the pressure with a series of long throws from corner positions causing the Town defence some problems. Then when Andy Davies found himself clear in the box he somehow contrived to slice Evans' delivery wide. Town were let off the hook and a golden opportunity passed.

At the other end Danny Thomas’ got his head to Keddle’s low cross but the ball was somehow scrambled clear and it remained goalless at the break.

The second half saw the hosts up the tempo but it was Town’s custodian who was in early action to touch over Evans' curving drive.

Evan’s persistence caused problems with Danny Thomas producing a saving tackle and Ramasut clearing off the line to keep Town’s goal intact.

With Loss replacing Ramasut and Walters replacing the injured Terry Evans Town looked to have more punch retaining the ball better. But, with the ball sticking under Danny Thomas’ foot and Hugh Clarke clearing Keddle’s effort off the line, extra time loomed as it looked as if the game would not be settled in normal time.

Extra time produced some half chances as both sides looked for a winner. Paul Fowler was determined in mid field and Mohamed had a strong individual run but with Mulliner gathering Mattie Davies’ volley defences remained strong and the contest was decided from the spot.

Town manager Mark Jones was relieved to have progressed to the final eight.

“We made hard work of it. Most probably our worst footballing performance all season. But you have to take your hat off to them we were poor up to half time and in the second half we tried to change tactics a little bit and we just battled and battled.

“Credit to our back four especially Kris Thomas and Mark Dodds they looked like a partnership that’s been playing together for five six years. They were magnificent.

“We were let off the hook, Caersws should have won. I counted four goals they should have scored and I don’t know whether we should have scored any.

“We had a few injuries. Terry Evans had to come off and so did Deryn Brace. Our durability’s not bad. We swapped things around out there and we got through.

“They set about it better than we did. Sometimes you have a little bit of luck in football and we have just got to take it. They are going home out of the cup and we’re in the hat for the next round.

Town coach Mark Aizlewood added,

“You have to give credit to Caersws. Sometimes you can only play as well as you’re allowed to play.

“Their system caused us a few problems, nullified what we were trying to do and it took us a while to overcome that.

“In the second half we changed everything we’ve been doing all season with regards to passing out from the back to get through. It’s a cup game and we have to get through, it’s not pretty but you have to get the result”.

Caersws manager Micky Evans was naturally disappointed,

“Very disappointed because I thought we were the better side particularly in the first half when we should have been two goals up and then we made it very difficult for Carmarthen.

“You shouldn’t miss chances but it happens. In a cup game, especially the way the Welsh Cup is structured, you have to get the result but when you go away from home to get the first goal is equally important.

“But it wasn’t to be. It’s difficult when it goes to penalties, people are tired and it’s a bit of a lottery, but good luck to Carmarthen.

Carmarthen Town: N. Thomas, Evans (Walters 58'), Brace (M. Davies 98'), Keddle, Dodds, K. Thomas, D. Thomas, Ramasut (Loss 59'), Fowler, Mohamed, Cotterrall.

Caersws FC: Mulliner, Thomas, Grist (G. Jones 62'), Reynolds, Clarke, Davies, Venables, Mitchell (Probert 105'), Evans, Plant (Bermingham 110'), G. Lewis.

Attendance: 225 Referee: Steve Hames