01.01.08 Llanelli AFC 4 Carmarthen Town 1

If the professionals were fortunate to take the Boxing Day points there was no doubting their New Year’s Day credentials.

With the hosts having the edge throughout Craig Jones opened the scoring on 10 minutes with a speculative cross come shot that somehow found the top corner of the net.

Town lacked a little cohesion at the back and six minutes later a trademark Rhys Griffiths goal saw the Reds double the advantage when the League’s top marksman got above the defence to head in at the back post.

Following the break Richard Hughes replaced the injured Gregg Coombes with Chris Thomas moving into mid-field. But with Town unable to reduce the deficit Griffiths made it comfortable for the hosts when he again found the target on 72 minutes.

A minute later Jamal Easter gave Town a glimmer of hope with a fine individual effort that saw him beat two defenders before firing past Harrison.

Town's young keeper Tennant made an promising debut replacing the suspended Thomas but with seven minutes remaining Griffiths notched up a fine hat-trick and with it a festive-season double for Llanelli.

Llanelli AFC : Harrison, Holland, Lloyd, Mumford, Thomas, Corbisiero, Holloway, C Jones, Williams (Pritchard 72'), Griffiths (Follows 90'), Jones (Small 90'). Subs not used: Lewis (gk), Berry.

Carmarthen Town: Tennant, Easter, Brace, Coombes (Hughes 46'), Hancock, C Thomas, D Thomas (Morris 78'), Hicks, Fowler, Walters, Cotterall. Subs not used: Williams, Smothers.

Attendance: 547 Referee: Steve Hames

05.01.08 Carmarthen Town 1 Neath Athletic 1

With Town finding festive cheer hard to come by it took a late Danny Thomas goal to salvage a deserved point for the hosts in this closely contested game.

Town, who were looking to recover some lost ground, were without the injured Gregg Coombes and suspended Neil Thomas and with Neil Smothers ruled out following a late fitness test Chris Thomas moved into midfield with Mark Poole deputising in goal.

League newcomers Neath have impressed with their commitment and energy in their first season in the top flight and it was no surprise that Richard French and Andy Hill tormented Town with some early pace and punch.

Sasha Walters also showed a clean pair of heels with a fine individual run but with Town lacking momentum and looking a little hesitant at defensive set pieces the visitors went ahead in the 32 minute.

With Liam Hancock adjudged to have handled in a crowded box following a long throw stand in keeper Poole did well to save Hill's spot kick. But with midfielder Steve Pockett first to the ball he fired in the rebound to give the Eagles a first half advantage.

Following the break the visitors continued to press. But defences were dominant and with chances few and far between Dale Evans' curling free kick was headed narrowly over by French.

With the game into its final quarter both sides substituted. Town teenager Ben Morris replaced his manager and the youngster provided the spark that Town had needed. Chris Thomas dropped into the back line to Morris and with Hicks leading the revival the hosts began to penetrate. But with Neath dangerous on the break Lee Bowen headed over from John Jenkins’ corner and Pool was forced to save at full stretch from sub Carl Shaw's stinging effort.

With the clock winding down and a committed Neath defence frustrating Town's probing forward line Walters, who had earlier threatened with two good long range efforts, spurned a glorious chance to net when the ball was palmed down in the box by keeper Craig Morris and the wing man's effort flew over.

Then with a minute remaining one of the best moves of the game, instigated by Walters and maintained by a couple of deft back heels from Jamal Easter and Hicks, played in Danny Thomas who coolly stroked the ball past Morris to level for Town.

Both managers seemed to settle for a share of the points. Deryn Brace said, "Yes it was a disappointing to have left it so late. We were trying to get in there and they were trying to kill us off with set pieces and breakaways. They are a good set-piece side and we did look a bit vulnerable but overall I thought we deserved the draw".

Having been denied by the late goal Eagles manager Andrew Dyer was not unduly disappointed, "We've competed well. You think you have taken the points in a difficult place to come and it gets taken away from you right at the end. It was disappointing to have conceded right at the death but it was a good goal. I would have taken a point before the game".

Brace conceded that Town had looked a little lacklustre. “We were looking for a spark; we just didn’t have it today. As much as we tried to make it happen by working hard, because all the players do that and they don’t shirk that responsibility, it didn’t come. We just didn’t have that cutting edge and spark to take the game by the scruff of the neck and dominate.

Brace praised his young replacement. "Ben’s come on, as he has in the last couple of games, and he’s given us that spark. He’s done extremely well and he’s certainly one of the positives that we can take from the last few games.

Commenting on his depleted squad and the absence of Town keeper Neil Thomas Brace commented “Tomo is not just a good keeper but he’s a big influence on everyone. Craig and Mark have come in and done a good job. We’re going through a period at the moment when many of the players are just playing average not the fast free flowing football we’re used to.

But we’re short on numbers due to injury and suspension and many, like myself, Nathan, Sacha and Liam are all carrying knocks. We just have to get through the next few games.

“Everyone might think that the answer is for me to get players in, and I will, but you have to remember that these are the players that got us into third. It’s just not possible in this league to have squads of nineteen twenty.

Town: Pole, Hughes, Brace (Morris63'), Easter, Hancock, C Thomas, D Thomas, Hicks, Fowler, Walters, Cotterrall (Jones 70') Subs not used: Horwood, Tennant(GK).
Neath: Morris, Burrows, Jenkins, Cronin, Bevan, Evans (Blackmore 72'), Pockett (Jenkins 72'), Pridham, French (Shaw 69'), Hill, Rees.

12.01.08 Caernarfon Town 2 Carmarthen Town 1

Despite enjoying considerable possession Town were unable to capitalise against a rejuvenated Caernarfon Town side who had not won at home since the opening day of the season.

In complete contrast the hosts stung Town’s disjointed defence by converting two well taken first half chances to secure an unexpected win and condemn Town to their sixth game without a win.

On a difficult playing surface and with the inclusion of two new signings, Phil Cattlin in the middle of defence and Paul Keddle on the left of mid-field, Town produced a bright opening period. With Keddle playing in front of Nathan Cotterrall they combined well down on the left with Sasha Walters and Chris Thomas probing early down the right.

But it was the visiting defence that had an early ’let off’ when keeper Mark Poole, having been drawn off his line, found himself stranded and it took a superb goal line block from Liam Hancock to deny striker Paul Addo on the eight minute mark.

A couple of minutes later the Canaries found the target. With Addo fouled on the edge of the box Town defended the resulting free kick but struggled to clear the rebound off the wall and Addo’s curling strike found the top of the net to give the hosts an early lead, somewhat against the run of play.

Town were almost back on level terms immediately. Keeper Craig Vernon could only parry Paul Fowlers’ shot but lack of a follow up saw the chance go begging.

Minutes later Keddle’s cross, following a strong run down the left, beat the defence but with Walters just failing to connect it typifying Town’s lack of presence in front of goal.

The returning Greg Coombes marshalled Town’s mid field well, working tirelessly to prompt his forward line and pick up on loose balls. But with Town’s defence lacking cohesion the visitors were exposed several times with the incisive James Thomas a constant threat on the flank.

Having threatened on the break the hosts compounded Town’s frustrating afternoon just after the half hour mark.

Following a Town free kick Thomas initiated a break from defence and with John Rowley beating the offside trap then cutting inside he fired past Poole to double the home advantage.

With half time approaching Town surged forward. Walters and Thomas linked well driving in from the flank but successive saves from Vernon denied Town’s right sided threat to maintain Caernarfon’s lead at the break.

Following the resumption Jamal Easter saw his driven ball held after Hicks had taken the ball to the bye line and minutes later Easter’s cross went just beyond his unmarked strike partner.

But Town could easily have conceded a third when Addo broke menacingly through the cover and with Poole reacting well to deny the front man the parried ball rebounded off Addo’s body and it took a last gasp covering clearance from Hicks to save Town’s blushes.

Addo remained a constant threat on the break but as Town looked to reduce the deficit it took a saving tackle from James Thomas to deny Chris Thomas and a fingertip save from Vernon to turn over Fowler’s flick on following Coombes’ curling free kick after Keddle was felled by Eifion Jones.

A change was needed and this came just after the hour when Danny Thomas replaced Hicks. Thomas, despite his size, held the ball up well and with his intelligent runs Town posed far more of a threat.

Then with Keddle breaking from deep it was Thomas who provided the final touch to Cotterrall’s cross and with fifteen minutes remaining Town were back in contention.

Heavy pressure from Town saw Vernon do well to deny Keddle. Then with minutes remaining it looked as if Town had finally salvaged a late point when Chris Thomas’ shot hit the post and looked to have crossed inside the line. But with the assistant referee ruling otherwise the hosts withstood considerable late pressure to remedy a losing sequence of seven games and consign Town to a worrying sequence of indifferent form.

Was there anything the manager might have changed in hindsight? “No not really. The line-up we went with was the lie-up we thought would get us the result on the day. it’s the line-up that has served us well for the majority of the season. Obviously with Paul Keddle and Phil Cattlin coming in we thought they would strengthen the side.

“In all fairness to Kedds I thought he and Cotterrall did well down the left hand side and if there was a plus to take out of the game it was that. I don’t think the bringing anyone in would have changed it”.

A bitterly disappointed Deryn Brace told 'Y Dre ar Y We' that it was probably the most disappointing result of the season. “There were no rewards from today’s game whatsoever. Its one to get out of the system as early as we possibly can.

“The good thing is that we’ve got a game on Tuesday so we can’t sit down and sulk or think about it too much we just have to get back to basics and make sure we’re ready for TNS on Tuesday night.

Brace saw Caernarfon’s direct approach successful. “Credit to Caernarfon they kept it simple and didn’t try to play too much. We told our back four to just do their jobs and not try anything silly. Caernarfon thumped it forward and said OK we’ll play in their half if we have the opportunity.

“They didn’t get many opportunities to play because we had the majority but it’s what we did with it that’s disappointing. They kept it very simple and only played beyond our back four and we didn’t do the same.

Did the conditions play a part? "Obviously it’s difficult the pitch was not fantastic. We got ourselves into great positions to put balls in the box and you waited for the ball to get a decent line so that you can put it in. But we can’t use that as an excuse as to why we lost the game because they managed to score two.

“I just felt on the day that our attitudes weren’t strong enough in getting hold of the conditions and saying that they are not going to affect the way I play and I really want to win the game”.

Town are now without a win in six games, “It’s a huge disappointment because we’re used to winning. The boys have got to make sure that we approach each game positively. There is no game that we need to be scared of and I’m sure that the win is just round the corner.

“Our ambition of a European placing is still realistic and achievable. We’re just making it hard for ourselves but other teams are doing the same – winning, losing drawing. What we need to do is snap out of our current run and with a couple of wins the table will look completely different.

With the transfer window open for three weeks will the manager be making use of it? “I’m pretty sure we will. There are a couple of players we have been looking at. I was hoping that we didn’t really need to but with hic-ups like this you’re glad that they have happened now when you have an opportunity to do something about it”.

Caernarfon Town: Vernon, Bamber, Phil Doran, McGarry, Jones, Quinn, Clarke, Peter Doran, Rowley (Whelan 88'), Addo (Cole 79'), Thomas (Maxwell 84').

Town: Poole, Cattlin, Keddle, Coombes, Hancock, C Thomas, Walters, Hicks (D Thomas 64'), Fowler, Easter, Cotterrall. Subs not used: Brace, Morris.

Attendance: 138 Referee: Rob Duncan

19.01.02 CARMARTHEN TOWN 2 NEWTOWN AFC 1

Having gone six games without a win Town put an end to their lean spell with a win over Newtown AFC. With the visitors having to contend with the dismissal of keeper Ian Harvey on four minutes, after he brought down Danny Thomas on the edge of the box, the Mid-Wales Robins made Town work hard for the points with a lively first half performance.

Manager Deryn Brace was clearly relieved to have put Town’s winless period behind him.

“A much needed win. In all fairness Newtown will probably be disappointed that they didn’t put us away first half”.

“We regrouped at half time and I think we controlled the second half a lot more. We’re relieved to get the win.”

Town were without the suspended Jamal Easter and Sacha Walters and with new signing Phil Cattlin taking up the mid-field berth Gregg Coombes moved wide and Danny Thomas was recalled to the front line following his scoring cameo appearance last weekend.

Town started brightly and following Harvard’s dismissal the visitors had to withstand considerable pressure as they rearranged. But having broken from deep and forced a corner, Adam Worton's set piece sailed over Neil Thomas' head to Craig Moses who chested the ball in for the Robins to grab an unexpected opener on 12 minutes.

With Damien Daniels taking over the gloves wing man Adam Worton dropped into the left back berth and having been spurred on by the early goal the visitors gained in confidence and could quite easily have extended their lead.

Moses was put clear but chipped the keeper and the bar and just after the twenty minute mark Tommy Mutton's floated ball into the box found Moses free but Neil Thomas made amends for his earlier transgression and saved well with his feet.

On the half hour Town's Paul Keddle's sent his curling free kick just over but Moses was constantly a danger as he fired into the side netting having latched on to a long ball from Worton.

As half time approached EMC Services sponsored Carmarthen Town gathered momentum, threatening down both flanks. With three minutes of the half remaining Tim Hicks sent Keddle down the left and his precise cross from the edge of the box was headed home by midfielder Gregg Coombes running in at the far side to steady Town nerves and make it all square at the break.

Following the resumption Town looked to dominate the second period but the stand-in keeper had not read the script as he held Coombes' driven cross and a minute later denied Hicks with his feet.

On 58 minutes the Robins lost the influential Moses who was stretchered off having sustained a twisted knee. Shortly after Town netted the winner. Phil Cattlin won the ball in midfield before squaring to Hicks who's screamer from outside the box rocked the Robin's bar. But with Danny Thomas following-in he beat Daniels to the loose ball and netted the rebound for his thirteenth strike of the current campaign.

With 20 minutes remaining Town found themselves under pressure for a period as the Robins forced a series of corners.

But with the influential Neil Smothers returning to Town ranks following a period of injury and with the visitors tiring Town took control again and it took a brilliant covering tackle from Craig Williams to deny Hicks and another impressive stop from Daniels to win the 1-on-1 with Fowler, after both had broken through.

Right at the death with Newtown throwing everything forward Thomas' late save with his feet ensured that Town were back on track, much to the delight of the Richmond faithful.

Coach Mark Aizlewood reflected on Town’s win and the second half performance in particular.

“The first win in seven, you have to be happy with that, though we were not particularly happy at half time. I thought we started the game really brightly but after the keeper got sent off perhaps some of the players subconsciously thought that the game was won.

“To compound the situation we conceded a sloppy goal from a corner and all of a sudden we had a mountain to climb. In all honesty against a team with a good finisher we could have been out of the game by half time”.

“I asked the team to play in a certain way in second half to have our full backs to be technical and sit very solid, level with the centre half, so there was no space for Craig Moses and Tommy Mutton to run into. Then when we were in possession to attack and support late with pace behind the ball. We have the type of player to do that in Chris Thomas Keddle and Cotterrall and that was the turning point”.

“The fact that the players took on board what we asked them to do in the second half was a plus for me. They moved the ball around, utilised the extra man better by using the full width and full length of the pitch, which is not as easy to do as you think, and I felt we could have scored more goals”.

Town: N Thomas, Hughes(Smothers 69'), Keddle, Coombes, Hancock, C Thomas, D Thomas (Horwood 85'), Hicks, Fowler, Cattlin, Cotterrall Subs not used : Brace, Morris(Y)

Newtown: Havard, Williams, Daniels, Clarke, Jellicoe, Williams-Cooke (Sutton67'), Lewis (Astley 77'), Mutton, Moses (Bellis 58'), Worton Subs not used: Dean, Griffith

Jamal Easter's brace saw Town come from behind to share this four goal thriller at the New Bridge Meadow on Tuesday night.

With Town showing plenty of first half creativity and dominating the early possession Chris Thomas provided from the flank and Danny Thomas caused problems up front. But it was the hosts who had three guilt-edged chances to steal an early lead as the game’s momentum swung just after the quarter hour mark.

Haverfordwest’s Neil Thomas was put through but dragged his shot wide and couple of minutes later Thomas provided for Christopher but under covering pressure from Hughes the Town goal survived.

Then on the 20 minute mark Ramasut picked up on a stray pass in the middle and with Christopher splitting the cover and putting Bowen clear keeper Neil Thomas showed his considerable skill as he literally flicked the ball off Bowen’s foot as Town withstood considerable Bluebird pressure.

Following the half hour with Coombes and Chris Thomas prompting their forwards; Town regained the initiative but failed to create an end product as the game remained goalless at the break.

Town set up camp in the hosts’ half following the resumption but it was the Bluebirds who broke the deadlock. Ramasut floated the ball forward and with Bowen getting a foot to the bobbing ball it looped over Thomas’s head to give the hosts a 54th. minute lead.

Town reacted immediately but Idzi produced some stunning stops to deny the visitors. A superb one handed save tipped over Keddle’s header and minutes later he again did well to deny Hicks at point blank range. In-between, as Town closed-in the hosts, Hughes’s screamer from outside the box rocked Idzi’s bar but his goal, frustratingly for Town, remained intact.

Just after the hour Easter replaced Danny Thomas and having been corralled for some time the hosts broke from defence and again it was a long ball from Ramasut that split the defence as Neil Thomas ran through to net past his namesake and give the Bluebirds a two goal advantage.

With a quarter hour left the game took another twist as Christopher was red carded for some off-the-ball petulance. Walters replaced Cattlin and with Town keeping up the momentum they struck twice in as many minutes to level the game.

Idzi’s goalmouth error was punished by Easter as he stabbed the ball home in a crowded area and a minute later the sub found the net a second time having beaten his marker.

In a hectic end to end finish Haverfordwest looked to have scored a winner but the Assistant flagged the offside and in an uncharacteristic act of generosity Smothers gifted the ball to Neil Thomas who then lost the one-on-one to his namesake.

Having overturned a two goal deficit and contributed hugely to an enthralling game Town will be disappointed not to have found a winner as the spoils were finally shared.

Haverfordwest: Idzi, Evans, Coates, Gilderdale, Elliott, Hartley, Hudgell, Ramasut, Bowen (Woodrow 64'), Christopher, Thomas. Subs not used: Ahmed, Raymond, Briers, Shane Earp.

Carmarthen Town: N Thomas, Hughes, Smothers, Coombes, Hancock, C Thomas, D Thomas (Easter 73'), Hicks, Fowler, Cattlin (Walters 78’), Keddle. Subs not used: Brace, Morris. Referee Mark Whitby Attendance 182

26.01.08 CARMARTHEN TOWN 2 AIRBUS UK 1

Town grabbed a very late winner to sustain the challenge for an European placing. Jamal Easter put Town ahead when he beat the keeper to Paul Fowler's threaded ball in the 25th. minute after the midfielder's persistence won posession following a throw in from the right.

Early chances were few and far between. Chris Thomas' strong run down the right on 10 minutes provided for Phil Cattlin but the midfielder volleyed just wide.

Airbus threatened from set pieces with Gareth Owen's free kicks and Phil Molyneux's long throws causing problems. On the half hour the Wingmakers had their best chance when Neil Thomas denied Owen from a set piece on the edge of the box with a superb left handed tip-over. Just before the break Town camped in the Airbus box but failed to add to the tally.

Following the resumption Sacha Walters replaced the injured Gregg Coombes and Town continued to threaten for a period but without an end product. Airbus began to make their presence felt and Thomas was by far the busiest of the two keepers saving well from Paul Hallows and seeing his bar rattled by Danny Desmoreaux.

Then on 63 minutes Keddle was punished for handling in the box and Owen converted the resulting spot kick to bring Airbus level . Having equalised the Wingmakers maintained the momentum with Gareth Sudlow prominent and Thomas forced to deny Gareth Caughter. At the other end the visitors defended resolutely making it difficult for Town to penetrate.

With a minute remaining Hallows saw red for a late tackle on Smothers and Town pushed forward . A quick throw in from Tim Hicks found Thomas who's low cross into a crowded box was stabbed home by Fowler to give Town a late injury time winner. Walters then followed Hallows into the changing room as he saw red for dissension.

Having enjoyed considerable second half momentum Airbus will be very disappointed not to have had any reward for their efforts. But Town, having taking seven points from the last nine, retain fifth position a point behind fourth placed Bangor City.

Town: Thomas, Hughes (Cotterrall64'), Smothers, Coombes (Walters46'), Hancock, C Thomas, Easter, Hicks, Fowler, Cattlin (Morris71'), Keddle Sub not used: Brace.

Airbus: Tyrer, Edwards, Lovell (Hunter 73'), Desormeaux, Davies, Sudlow, Wright (Hussaney 86'), Owen, Molyneaux (McIntosh 57'), Hallows, Caughter Referee S. Jones Attendance 312

29.01.08 FAW Premier Cup
Carmarthen Town 3 The New Saints 1

An emphatic team performance by Carmarthen Town dumped holders TNS out of the FAW Premier Cup competition. A Tim Hicks hat-trick saw Town book their second semi-final appearance in the competition.

A delighted manager Deryn Brace was quick to praise his team. “I have to be honest it was a very good win. It was a team performance where everyone played to their potential".

"We’ve left it late in the last few of games but I thought we controlled the game in the second half and I thought Tim (Hicks) did well with the hat-trick".

"But what pleased me most was the fact that it was a team performance. They all played well and I think that will give us that belief and confidence that perhaps has been a little lacking".

With midfielder Phil Cattlin cup tied former captain Rhodri Jones returned to Town ranks and with Chris Thomas moving to partner Liam Hancock in the centre of defence Town had a slightly rearranged look.

In a competitive game John Toner headed home a Luke Holden free kick to put the professionals in front on 36 minutes. But five minutes later Town were back on level terms after Hicks deftly flicked the ball across the goal following Richard Hughes' cross from the right.

With Town getting on top in the second period Paul Fowler produced a mesmerising run that came close to putting the Old Gold ahead but new signing Kevin Townson went just wide with an effort for the visitors. Then with five minutes remaining TNS were reduced to ten men after Phil Baker was red carded for a dangerous tackle.

With no addition to the score the game went into extra time and despite playing a full time professional outfit Town’s fitness levels looked good. The Richmond Park outfit took the lead five minutes after the resumption as Hicks grabbed his second heading in Fowler's delivery.

But the evening went from bad to worse for the professionals as they then found themselves down to nine men just after the extra time break when captain Mike Taylor was dismissed for collecting his second yellow of the evening.

Then with Town totally in control Hicks secured his hat-trick and made sure there was no way back for the cup holders when he finished Sacha Walters' cross following a break down the righ to ensure a semi-final meeting with Llanelli next month.

Town: N Thomas, Hughes, Keddle, Jones (Morris 113’), Hancock, C Thomas, Easter, Hicks (Horwood 119’), Fowler, Walters, Cotterrall Subs not used Brace, Smothers, D Thomas.

TNS: Harrison, Naylor, Baker, Holmes, Taylor, Hogan, Ruscoe, Toner (Carter 91’), Townson, Lamb (Beck 66’), Holden (Williams 86’) Subs not used: Wood, Brabin.

Referee Dean John