27.01.07 Bangor City 1 Carmarthen Town 3

Carmarthen Town produced a scintillating performance at Bangor City on Saturday as Mark Jones' men came from behind with three goals in six second half minutes to cancel out Bangor debutant Mario Adaggio's opener for the Citizens on the stroke of half time.

The win sees Town climb back up to fifth position ahead of next weekend’s break in the League programme for the Welsh Cup fourth round clash with Caersws FC at Richmond Park.

Mark Jones retained the same starting line up as at Llanelli in mid week. Paul Fowler came close on a couple of occasions and Bangor’s Paul Hopkins was forced to clear his own line from Danny Thomas’ low header as Town pressed the home goal.

At the other end Neil Thomas, who was largely untroubled in the Town goal, did well to save from Adassio’s header but it was Hopkins, a recent signing and former England U20 international, who posed Town some problems with some telling runs.

Having had the best of the first period, but without reward, Town then conceded a sloppy goal on the stroke of half time. With the game into stoppage time a poor clearance out to the left was picked up by Hopkins and his cross-come-shot to the far post was turned in by the unmarked Adaggio to give the hosts a half time lead.

Following the break Steve Wynne’s driving shot was tipped over by Thomas but Town were quickly back into their stride as they played out well from the back and Deryn Brace’s cross into the box was put agonisingly wide by Walters who was replaced soon after by Paul Keddle.

A further change in mid-field just after the hour saw Colin Loss replace Ramasut as Town maintained moment down both flanks. Kyle Jacob and Kevin Scott did well to frustrate Town’s final ball into the box but Loss threaded through for Terry Evans who played a neat one-two with Mohamed before the front man fired in under Ian Havard to equalise.

Back on level terms Town were soon in front after captain Nathan Cotterrall sent Harvard the wrong way to convert a spot kick after Evans had been brought down by substitute Melvyn McGuinness. And two minutes later the wingman grabbed his brace and cemented Town’s dominance when he picked up a diagonal ball on the edge of the box and, having split the defence, drilled the ball into the back of the net to give Town a comfortable margin.

Substitute Marc Lloyd Williams produced a late flurry for the hosts but the second period had been all about Town’s team performance and manager Mark Jones was delighted at what had been a good and deserved result.

“Farrar Road is always a very difficult place to come to but we are playing some good football at the moment and today was a team performance.

“It was our third game in a week and I thought our fitness levels were good. We showed that on Tuesday against a professional side and today we were able to keep the momentum going right to the end.

“It sets us up nicely for Saturday’s cup clash with Caersws. They’ve had a good win and look to have got a little bit of form.

“The Welsh Cup is a great competition and I think it will be a great game, I’m really looking forward to it.

Town coach Mark Aizlewood added:

“We showed first class fitness and attitude today. We didn’t let our heads drop after conceding an I thought we played well.

“There was no individual or incident that turned the game in our favour today. It was a good all-round team effort. We were confident that if we continued to play as well in the second period as we had done in the first the result would come. And it did.

Bangor City's manager Steve Bleasdale said:

"Carmarthen are a good side, who have been together for a few years and, while we had a game plan, they were too good for us.

“I thought the penalty against us was the wrong decision but this particular performance has opened my eyes about what the Welsh Premier is all about”.

Bangor City Havard, Jacobs, Scott, Hopkins (Lloyd-Williams 65'), Webber, O'Neill, Wynne (Smyth 68'), Walsh, Adaggio, Evans (McGuiness 46'), Edwards. Subs not used: Wilson, Stott.

Carmarthen Town N. Thomas, Evans, Brace, Walters (Keddle 60'), Dodds, K. Thomas, D. Thomas, Ramasut (Loss 66'), Fowler, Mohamed, Cotterrall (M. Davies 88').

Attendance: 420 Referee: Brian Lawlor

23.01.07 Llanelli AFC 1 Carmarthen Town 1

Town weathered some considerable pressure early in the second half to claim a share of the points at Stebonheath on Tuesday evening.

Following an evenly balanced first half the Reds turned the screw after the break with Craig Williams forcing a great one handed save from Neil Thomas.

Town found difficulty in retaining possession as the Reds pushed forward in waves and with Duncan Roberts a virtual spectator in the home goal Town were restricted to breakouts from deep.

But with the pressure mounting on the visitors' goal it was Williams’ persistence on the flank that provided for Rhys Griffiths who side footed home to put the Reds ahead on 68 minutes.

Neil Thomas denied Griffiths’ free header five minutes later with a superb low save as the striker got on the end of a Gary Lloyd cross and Thomas was again in action to deny Nicky Palmer’s vicious curving drive that was destined for the top corner of the goal.

But having rearranged Town regained some momentum and pushed forward in search of an equaliser. Mattie Davies’ on the edge of the box found Ramasut out wide and with the midfielder picking out Mohamed with an angled ball the front man rifled home from 12 yards to level the score with ten minutes remaining.

Both sides produced some late exchanges but Town dealt with some late pressure well to claim a share of the spoils.

Llanelli AFC : Roberts, D. Griffiths, Lloyd, Mumford, W. Thomas, Phillips, Palmer, Corbisiero, R. Griffiths, Mingorance, Williams. Subs not used: N. Thomas, Lewis, Fernandez, Thompson, Sinfield.

Carmarthen Town: N. Thomas, Evans, Brace (Loss 79'), Walters (Keddle 56'), Dodds, K. Thomas, D. Thomas (M. Davies 73'), Ramasut, Fowler, Mohamed, Cotterrall. Subs not used: Williams, D. Davies.

Attendance: 321 Referee: Steve Hames

20.01.02 Carmarthen Town 2 Airbus UK 1

Having quietly garnered twelve points from the last fifteen available Carmarthen Town manager Mark Jones was pleased to have overcome some stiff opposition from visitors Airbus UK.

The Broughton based outfit had travelled to Richmond Park on the back of a 4-1 demolition of Bangor City and for fifteen minutes either side of the break dominated proceedings showing that the Airfield result had been no fluke.

Jones conceded that the game had been a difficult assignment:

“It was hard, very hard work. I think the victory against Bangor spurred them on a bit and for periods of the game they matched us, if not bettered us, on the day”.

“Their manager Gareth Owen was the outstanding player on the pitch and he can go home and feel unlucky not to have taken a point. I think this has been the only game in the last two years when we have pinched all the points”.

Town dominated the early exchanges with tempo and pace in their play. Nathan Cotterrall, Sasha Walters and Kris Thomas spearheaded the attack that kept the visitors penned in but with little to show for their dominance. In the strong wind and on a difficult surface the Wingmakers got a toehold in the game and following a series of late corners James McIntosh capitalised as he headed home Owen’s well placed set piece on the stroke of half time.

Following the break lively wingman David Hughes caused problems for the Old Gold rattling Neil Thomas’ bar. But with the hosts weathering the storm Mattie Davies came on just before the hour to replace defender Craig Lima and bolster the Town attack.

The equaliser was not long in coming. Terry Evans and Walters linked well down the right and with Evans driving inside his cross back from the by-line ball found Kaid Mohamed who side footed home to pull Town back on level terms.

Town had regained the momentum and with eight minutes remaining edged the win as the frontman netted his second of the game and his 11th league goal of the season when he sent a well placed free-kick over the wall and beyond the rooted Adam McGee after John Davies was adjudged to have handled 20 yards out.

Mark Jones saw his striker as the difference between the two sides.

“Most probably the lad was not in our top eight performers today but he got two goals; a finisher’s goal which he doesn’t usually get and a well struck free kick. He put away two goals from nothing and that was the difference between the two sides”.

“We’re on a good run but we like to keep it quiet. We’ve taken twelve points from fifteen. The only blip was against Haverfordwest and that game was the best we’ve played”.

Having taken the three points Town are now up to sixth, one point behind Llanelli, and Jones has his sights firmly set on Tuesday night’s encounter against a Stebonheath outfit who have recorded only one win from the last eight league outings.

“Llanelli on Tuesday night is a big, big game for us. If we can go and get something there that will put us back in the shake up and in a good position with a few very important games coming up”.

Carmarthen Town: N. Thomas, Evans, Brace, Lima (Davies 55'), Dodds, K. Thomas, Walters, Ramasut (Loss 72'), Fowler, Mohamed, Cotterrall. Subs not used: D. Thomas, Sexton, Richards.

Airbus UK: McGee, Edwards, Hunter, L. Williams, Davies, Allen, Hughes, Owen, D. Williams (Maloney 70'), McIntosh, Wynne (Sudlow 86'). Sub not used: Buckley.

Attendance. 245 Referee. Simon Jones

06.01.07 Carmarthen Town 4 NEWI Cefn Druids 0

Having threatened consistently throughout the first half for little reward, a tactical change just before the hour provided the cutting edge that Town required to stun Druids with four goals in 14 second half minutes.

With the game goalless as it entered the final quarter Kris Thomas broke the deadlock on 70 minutes.

Ten minutes later the EMC sponsored Carmarthen Town turned the game completely on its head with a scoring flourish that produced three goals in three minutes to get Town back to winning ways with a well deserved victory ahead of important cup and league fixtures this week.

The first half had been littered with missed chances as Thomas, Sasha Walters and Kaid Mohamed broke through the Druids defence at will. But with Town struggling in the final quarter they failed to get the last telling touch they deserved.

Town also made it difficult for themselves at times. Penning the ‘Ancients’ in defence some loose passing allowed Mike Haverin, Steve Watkin and Alex Highes to break from deep. And when Hughes picked up a wayward ball in mid field Druids had a glorious chance but the midfielder’s low angled shot lacked power and found the side netting as Town breathed a sigh of relief.

Following the break Town continued to press as Terry Evans got forward probing down the right flank. Paul Fowler’s header and Mohamed’s follow up were cleared as Druids defended desperately.

Clearly time to make changes and Mark Jones brought on Mattie Davies. With Tom Ramasut moving into mid field to replace the departing Colin Loss, Nathan Cotterall dropped back to left back with Mohamed and Walters playing wider roles.

Town showed more urgency and incisiveness as they forced a series of corners and with Wayne Phillips’ solitary run the only response from the ‘Ancients’ the breakthrough was not long in coming.

Nathan Cotterrall proved the instigator breaking from deep. With Kaid Mohamed making ground on the flank a neat layoff found Thomas on the edge of the area who fired right footed past Edwards to open the scoring and steady the nerves of the Richmond Park faithful.

A minute later Fowler’s shot was turned wide by the keeper who also saved Mohamed’s vicious shot and as Town ran rampant the second gaol was soon delivered.

Cotterrall was again the instigator as he and Mohamed combined well to find Walters unmarked in front of goal for the wingman to extended Town’s lead with a spectacular shot over his shoulder from eight yards to make it two.

A minute later Mohamed again had a hand in Town’s third as his fierce shot from the flank was parried wide by Edwards and with Walters picking up on the loose ball he fed back inside for Thomas to net his second of the day from eight yards.

Then to cap a glorious final quarter Thomas, who was pushed out wide to the right by the Druids defence, cut back inside his markers to lay off the ball to Fowler on the edge of the area for the big midfielder to fire in off the post.

To add to the Druids' misery Mike Heverin was sent off by referee Paul Thomas and when Osian Jones was adjudged to have been fouled inside the box, Steve Watkin's penalty was well saved by home keeper Neil Thomas to deny the visitors any consolation.

Manager Mark Jones was full of praise for his players.

“We were too cautious in the first half. Druids defended with ten men behind the ball and the keeper didn’t have a save to make.

“We made some changes in the second half but in the end it was down to the players. They took responsibility and were brilliant. I thought we were good value for the win and it was just what we needed before next week.

Town coach Mark Aizlewood added,

“We deserved to win comfortably. We had the better chances in the first half but scored four goals in the second.

“We made some tactical changes. We played our front men wider, Kaid on the left and Sasha on the right. The key was moving Ramasut into the middle he gave us more options. We held our positions and it worked.

Carmarthen Town: N. Thomas, Evans, Ramasut, Hancock (Morris 85'), Dodds, K. Thomas, Walters, Loss (Davies 58'), Fowler, Mohamed (Fleming 81'), Cotterrall. Subs not used: Lima, M. Williams.

NEWI Cefn Druids: C. Edwards, Phillips, G. Roberts, Rowlands, T. Edwards, Hughes, O. Jones, Edgar, Heverin, Watkin, L. Jones (Wright 70'). Subs not used: Taylor, S. Roberts.

Attendance: 253 Referee: Paul Thomas

01.01.07 Carmarthen Town 1 Haverfordwest County 3

Having won the first of the festive derbies at the New Bridge Meadow on Boxing Day Carmarthen Town looked to overturn the history books and mark the New Year with two wins from two over the holiday period.

But with the balance of play clearly in favour of the hosts the statistics of seven wins from nine Richmond encounters were stacked in favour of the visitors. Goals by Gareth Elliot and Chris O’Sullivan (penalty) two minutes into each half with a third from Tim Hicks half way through the second period established an unassailable lead for the Bluebirds and despite Paul Fowler netting a late consolation for the hosts the game went the way of the form book rather than on the balance of play.

Both sides made just the one change from the previous week and with Kaid Mohamed returning to the forward line following illness EMC sponsored Carmarthen Town completely dominated the first period.

But, as the hosts looked to clear some early pressure orchestrated by Simon Heal and Ryan Durham, Elliot’s stab in a crowded box was adjudged to have crossed the gaol line and the visitors took an early lead.

Considering the torrential rain of recent days the Richmond Park surface was in good condition as Nathan Cotterrall ran at the Haverfordwest defence with impunity. And with Fowler’s volley well held by Kendall, Cotterrall and Ramasut combined to keep up the pressure and when the wing man’s low cross was swept in by Danny Thomas a reaction save from Kendall denied the stunned mid-fielder the expectant equaliser.

Town continued to exploit space down the left and just after the half hour mark Mohamed spurned an excellent opportunity to draw Town level. Having been put completely clear by Kris Thomas’ clever ball he shot straight at the keeper and a golden opportunity passed.

Ramasut and Cotterrall continued to prompt Town’s forward line and with Liam Hancock’s header just wide of the mark the visitors maintained their slim advantage to the break.

The second period, just as the first, saw the Bluebirds capitalise early. With two minutes gone Terry Evans was adjudged to have fouled Lee Hudgell in the box. O’Sullivan fired home the resultant spot kick and the visitors found themselves unexpectedly enjoying a two goal margin.

Town pressed forward. Heal cleared Fowler’s header off the line and with Kendall having to withdraw through injury Wayne Jones took on the gloves at half time and the debutant keeper saved well from Ramasut.

Town manager Mark Jones introduced a triple substitution in an effort to redress the balance but with the visitors experiencing their best period with some flowing football Town struggled to regain their first half momentum.

Jonathan Coates’ chipped effort went just wide of the mark and when O’Sullivan won the ball in mid field he put Tim Hicks through and the substitute’s his low shot found the corner of the net to make it three with fifteen minutes remaining.

With the visitors now defending deeply and in numbers there was little room for Town to exploit. Fowler’s late goal was little consolation other than to redress the score-line somewhat and Town will be left wandering how, having dominated for long periods, they managed to concede three goals and the holiday fixture.

Mark Jones reflected on a holiday programme that saw the honours shared with Haverfordwest.

“Of course I’m disappointed. Having won in Haverfordwest I really thought we could make it six points from six.

“There were no rockets in there today. The players gave us everything. I thought the first goal was a bad one to give away but the result was just one of those things you get in football from time to time.

“It’s something we have to deal with. We have to show character and get back on track at the weekend against Cefn Druids. I’m confident that we will.

Town coach Mark Aizlewood added,

“I’m disappointed that we haven’t won but not too concerned about the result. In football you get freak results and today was one of those results.

“We created well in the first half and the performance was the most dominating we’ve been at home”. He added, “The worst thing for us was the half time whistle when we had momentum and were so dominant.

“They had to change keepers and with the penalty coming at such a perfect time it gave them impetus.

Explaining the triple substitution Aizlewood said,

“We substituted in the belief that fresh legs would give us some renewed impetus. Our game just needed freshening up.

“But the critical moment of the game was at the half hour mark when we were one down and had a great chance to even it up. Had Kaid scored I think it would have put a totally different complexion on the game with most probably a different outcome.

Haverfordwest manager Derek Brazil was delighted at his side’s win

“I thought we were fortunate in the first half to go in 1-0 up. Our keeper was outstanding and made three great saves to keep us ahead.

“We coped well in the second half and the goal came at the perfect time for us. I have a committed group of young players and they showed that commitment today.

Carmarthen Town: N. Thomas, Evans (Walters 58'), Brace (Loss 58'), Hancock, Dodds, K. Thomas, D. Thomas (M. Davies 58'), Ramasut, Fowler, Mohamed, Cotterrall. Subs not used: K. Davies, D. Davies.

Haverfordwest County: Kendall (Briers 46'), Heal, W. Jones, Gilderdale, Elliott (Cattlin 52'), Durham, O'Sullivan, Coates, Jenkins (Hicks 58'), Christopher, Hudgell. Sub not used: McNabney

Attendance: 376 Referee: Ceri Richards