28.01.06 Welshpool Town 3 Carmarthen Town 0

Having conceded a second minute penalty to give Welshpool Town an early lead Carmarthen Town were unable to deal with the early setback and with a strangely inexplicable lacklustre performance Town failed to make an impression on a game that saw the hosts run out comfortable victors.

In the absence of Gary Lloyd’s steadying influence and the in-form Martyn Giles’ physical presence at the centre of the defence Town failed to come to terms with a robust Welshpool attack that saw the hosts double the tally on the quarter hour.

If anyone doubted Welshpool’s current league credentials then Saturday’s performance would clearly have disabused any doubters.

Welshpool were consistently first to the ball, won every 50/50 challenge and clearly held the upper hand in all phases of play and with a third goal in the dying minutes of the game the host’s regained second spot in the table to further their growing European aspirations.

Manager Tomi Morgan attributed his side’s improved form to a strengthened defence:

“We’ve improved defensively since the start of the season. That is the biggest difference being able to defend. We’ve always been able to attack and with an excellent start today the boys were on fire.

“Town didn’t get into the game. I know you had one or two players missing but at the end of the day you play against the opposition that’s in front of you”.

Top marksman Steve Rogers fired the hosts ahead in the second minute following the assist referee’s decision that he was fouled just inside the box by Richard Carter.

With Neil Smothers and Carter slotting into Town’s back line replacing the absent regulars Smothers experienced a torrid time from the irrepressible Justin Wickham who continually harried down the right.

With Rogers’ physical presence causing problems Town looked unable to stem the Welshpool attack. Hesitancy in the back allowed Michael Thompson to get in behind and with the visitors appealing the offside he netted the second leaving Town with a mountain to climb if they were to salvage anything from the encounter.

As the half way mark approached Town looked to be gaining a little momentum in an effort to threaten the opposition’s goal. But with new signing John Keegan impressive in the middle of a steadfast backline, Town failed to make any in-roads on Welshpool’s goal.

Following the break Craig Lima replaced Kevin Aherne-Evans in an effort to limit Rogers’ effectiveness. Keeper Andrew Delve saved well from the incisive Wickham and with Danny Thomas and Sasha Walters benefiting from an improved service Gerard McGuigan at the other end did well at the base of the near post

But with no way through and Welshpool in control Town scrapped for respectability but following an infringement out on the flank Rogers grabbed his brace as he headed home Thompson’s free kick at the near post to make it three.

Manager Mark Jones was at a loss to explain his side’s performance,

“It was a very bad day. We started badly and gave away a stupid goal. Welshpool are up there for a reason and they showed it today.

“They beat us in every department. We were out battled, out played and well beaten. I can’t really explain it.

“We’ll be working very hard during the week to put things right. We’re now ten points behind Welshpool but we do have two games in hand. Today was a reality check.

“If we can put a run of four wins together the picture will change completely and we’ll be back up there challenging with the top bunch.

Welshpool Town McGuigan, Windsor (Shannon 69'), Lloyd, Roberts (James 90'), B.Jefferies, Keegan, Thompson (Smith 89'), R.Jefferies, Rogers , Cunnah, Wickham.

Carmarthen Town Delve, Hardy, Smothers, Aherne-Evans ( Lima 46'), Carter, Jones, Walters, Kennedy, Dodds (Davies 53'), Thomas (Hughes 75'), Cotterrall. Attendance: 380 Referee: M Petch

20.01.06 Carmarthen Town 0 Llanelli AFC 1

An 88th. minute volley by Llanelli’s Nic Harrhy at Richmond Park last night was enough for the Reds to move into second spot in the Welsh Premier.

With the hosts reduced to ten men, Harrhy latched on to John Phillips’ cross from the right to volley home and give the visitors their sixth win on the trot.

There was little to separate the sides and whilst the dismissal of Martyn Giles, with twelve minutes remaining, for a second bookable offence gave Llanelli a late numerical advantage Town looked to be coping with the situation. But with Neil Thomas gaining possession in midfield Llanelli were able to capitalise and extract revenge for their autumn home defeat.

Llanelli coach Peter Nicholls summed up the evening:

“I thought it was an even game and to be fair both teams had a few chances. I thought whoever scored first would win and we managed to get it in the last couple of minutes”.

It wasn’t the greatest of games; it wasn’t ever going to be with the teams so close. Away from home and on a heavy pitch it was always going to be difficult. It could have gone either way.

“The sending off was very harsh and I’m not sure whether we really benefited or not but in the end we were just delighted with the three points”.

Favouring the option of Neil Thomas in mid-field at the expense of the more attack minded Chris Thomas the 24 year recent returnee gave the visitors stability and presence in the middle of the park.

For the hosts striker Danny Thomas worked tirelessly creating early chances as he rounded the keeper but lacked the support to profit from his effort.

Chances were few. Town did well to crowd out Kirk Huggins’ cross with three red shirts waiting to pounce and with Town conceding a series of free kicks Lee Phillips’ header went narrowly over as the stalemate continued.

On the stroke of half time Walters was fouled on the edge of the area and with Gary Lloyd’s vicious free kick spilled by the visiting keeper Thomas looked to pounce but Phillips cleared and it remained scoreless at the break.

The injured Stuart Jones was replaced by Jacob Mingorance after the break necessitating the Reds to adjust. Walters’ saw a couple of well hit efforts blocked and when Thomas broke to the Reds back line Giles’ header went narrowly over.

Cotteral linked well with Rhodri Jones to force keeper Duncan Roberts into a goal line clearance and with a quarter hour remaining substitute Craig Lima replaced the injured Walters and came close as he got on the end of Cotterall’s floated cross.

For the Reds Mingorance weaved his way through the Town defence and finding himself one on one with the keeper he sent his effort over and it looked as if the stalemate would prevail.

Then with two minutes remaining and Town pushing up to claim the offside Harrhy popped up to claim the visitors’ first win at Richmond win in six years.

A disappointed Mark Jones said, “I thought we competed all night and had the upper hand. But 90% of football teams that get a man sent off get beat.

We looked to be coping. The ball was played into our half and we overplayed and got caught. In the end it cost us”.

Carmarthen Town : Delve, Hardy, Lloyd, Giles, Aherne-Evans, Jones, Walters (Lima 73'), Smothers (Kennedy 66'), Dodds (Carter 73'), Thomas, Cotterall.

Llanelli AFC: Roberts, Harrhy, Huggins (Williams 54'), Rawbury, S.Jones (Mingorance 46'), L.Phillips, Nofuentes (J.Phillips 84'), Corbisiero, Belle, Pierce, Thomas.

Referee Paul Thomas. Attendance 741

14.01.06 Caernarfon Town 0 Carmarthen Town 2

Having experienced the euphoria of a mid-week win over Championship outfit Cardiff City , Town made the long journey North at the weekend to take on an improving Caernarfon Town .

The Canaries, who had themselves clipped the wings of the Mid-Wales Bluebirds the previous weekend, were also buoyed by an impressive win and on the Oval's difficult rain sodden and sloping surface Town needed to focus fully if they were to get anything out of this potentially tricky encounter.

Manager Mark Jones was clear regarding the difficulty of the task.

“I told the lads that they would have to forget everything that happened in mid week. Caernarfon was, if anything, a more important game. It was vital that we did not concede early on and we would have to keep tight and look sharp if we were to keep our good form going.”

With Caernarfon's new signing striker Carl Furlong enjoying a bright start it took a headed goal line clearance from Neil Smothers to keep Town's line intact on the five minute mark. Then when the new signing rounded Town's defensive line on the quarter hour Lee Jones spurned a golden opportunity for the hosts.

Town captain Rhodri Jones had to withdraw suffering the effects of flu but the introduction of Richard Kennedy seemed to galvanise Town's efforts as they began to take control of the game with thirty minutes gone.

Smothers' low effort went just wide of the upright following Kennedy's good work and with the tireless Danny Thomas latching on to a Lloyd free kick the pressure mounted on the home defence.

The breakthrough when it came was well taken. A short clearance from keeper Andrew Delve saw Smothers release Sasha Walters on the flank. The wingman broke through the defence on a diagonal run and his low cross into the box was met by Mark Dodds' diving header to give Town the all important advantage just before the break.

The second half saw Caernarfon push forward in search of the equaliser. Gwyn Peters came close from a corner and when Jason Saddler was put clean through on goal it took a great reaction save from Delve, getting down low to his right, to deny the Canaries' lively wing-man.

Caernarfon were enjoying some success with the through ball from mid field to the left flank and with Daniel March commanding in defence they snuffed out Town's forward efforts.

Following the hour Town gradually regained the initiative building well from the back with Luke Hardy and Aherne-Evans carrying from deep. Kennedy and Thomas linked well down the right and Cotterall caused problems out on the left. With Walters' vicious shot spilled by keeper Paul Pritchard at the expense of a corner the pressure mounted on the hosts.

The introduction of Craig Lima for the tiring Dodds added to the momentum as Caernarfon conceded a number of free kicks in an effort to contain the Town attack.

With fifteen minutes remaining Lima was brought down out wide on the left and with Aherne-Evans getting above his marker at the near post he glanced Lloyd's set piece across goal into the top far corner to make the game safe for visitors.

In the final minute Jones' persistence for the hosts forced a corner but with Furlong's stab striking the base of the post the late consolation was denied and Town retained the clean sheet and claimed all three points.

Mark Jones summed up his thoughts after a tiring week: “ It was a vital, vital win for us. The boys were magnificent when you consider it was the second game in five days, a long journey and very wet conditions. Yes it took us a little time to get going but we focused, kept our shape and kept a clean sheet.

10.01.06 FAW Premier Cup
CARMARTHEN TOWN 2 CARDIFF CITY 1

A historic night at Richmond Park on Tuesday evening when Carmarthen Town brought Championship outfit Cardiff City down to earth with an impressive win that puts them into the semi final of the competition.

With the visitors going ahead after only five minutes through captain Byron Anthony's volley from a corner City had a dream start. But Town got themselves back into the game and equalised just before the half hour when former Bluebird Danny Thomas found himself unmarked at the back post and struck home the uncleared cross to level the score.
Town then went ahead through Nathan Cotterall just before the break when the wingman latched on to a poor defensive header and lobed Cardiff keeper Lee Worgan to give Town, what proved to be, the all important winner.

The second half saw both sides compete well. With ex Bluebird Kevin Aherne-Evans in commanding form in the middle of the Town defence the Richmond Park outfit snuffed out the City attack that included new signing Guylain N'dungo - Nusungu . There were still scoring chances. A superb save from Worgan with about a quarter hour remaining denied Cotterall's deflected shot and N'dungo - Nusungu scuffed his shot wide when well placed.

In the end Town did themselves proud and Manager Mark Jones, and the impressive home crowd of over nine hundred fans, could not have asked for a better performance and will be eagerly anticipating the semi final draw. Town's impressive start to the New Year continues.

07.01.06 Carmarthen Town 6 Newtown AFC 0

Four first half goals laid the foundation for this comprehensive win and with an additional second half brace Town produced one of their better, if not best, home performances of the season.
Sasha Walters started the goal fest on the quarter hour after Kevin Aherne-Evans broke down the right to provide for the wingman who had been a thorn in the side of the Newtown defence from the off.

Six minutes later Thomas got the first of his brace finishing coolly after Mark Dodds had won the ball in mid-field and when Gary Lloyd converted a free kick from the edge of the box after Thomas had been held back Town had established what proved to be an unassailable lead.

Matthew Thomas and Danny Desormeaux battled well for the visitors but with Town’s back four in miserly mood there was little reward for their endeavour.
Then with 35 minutes on the watch Mark Dodds finished well after defender Luke Hardy had floated his pass beyond the Robins’ defence and with a 4-0 score line Town were very much in command at the break.

The second half saw Town custodian Andrew Delve tip Desormeaux’s viciously driven volley on to the bar and with the hour approaching Thomas bagged his brace when he rounded the keeper having picked up on a sloppy pass from the Robins defence to make it 5-0.
Newtown’s miserable afternoon was complete when Walters turned provider for substitute Mattie Davies to add a sixth and give the Richmond Park fans the best possible start to the New Year ahead of Tuesday evening's encounter with Championship side Cardiff City in the FAW Premier Cup.

Carmarthen Town : Delve, Hardy, Lloyd, Giles, Aherne-Evans, Jones (Kennedy 58'), Walters, Smothers, Dodds (Davies 46'), Thomas, Cotterrall ( Lima 67').

Newtown AFC : Rowley, C.Williams, Daniels, Hooley, Giles, Moody, Lewis, Desormeaux, Smith
(Pickup 73'), Hughes, Ryan (Kirkham 46'). Sub not used: Allen, Selients