22.01.10 ABERYSTWYTH TOWN 1 CARMARTHEN TOWN 2

Defender Chris Thomas’ exquisite 38th. minute free kick from a full 30 yards proved a worthy match winner for Carmarthen Town after Aberystwyth’s Bari Morgan had levelled a Tim Hicks sixth minute opener.

Aberystwyth came into the game on the back of a four game winning streak. Town’s win on the other hand came after a considerable period of enforced inactivity over the New Year period. But determination and desire were evident in what was a committed performance from the Richmond Park outfit.

Manager Deryn Brace told Y Dre ar Y We, "I’m really pleased for the boys. They worked hard, were committed throughout and they deserved the win. It’s not been easy for them with the enforced break but tonight they gave everything and were really, really positive.

“I thought we showed a steely determination to get the job done. We haven’t seen that attitude for a long while. Yes we can play a lot better but if we maintain that purpose we showed tonight we will become a difficult team to beat.

"It was an important win and hopefully it will provide a boost. But what we have to do now is take advantage of it to establish a good run.

Aberystwyth named an unchanged side from the previous week’s winning line-up at Prestatyn. Nicky Palmer and Dyfan Pierce returned from injury for Town and loan signing Sean Cronin partnered Thomas in the middle of defence.

Following Town’s first foray into Aber territory Hicks' cross in front of the Dias Stand was deflected behind at the expense of a corner. And with the front man getting above the Aber defence he glanced home Nathan Cotterrall’s flag kick perfectly to net his ninth goal of the season.

Neil Smothers sent a raking diagonal shot just wide of the far upright but Graham Evans and Geoff Kellaway exposed Town’s left flank on a couple of occasions. Then following a patient build up on the edge of the box Town were slow to clear Aneurin Thomas’ floated ball in before Glyndwr Hughes played in Morgan who burst into the box and struck low beyond the keeper to level the deficit.

Town responded positively. A Craig Hughes effort was blocked and deflected behind and minutes later a superb save from Aber keeper Steve Cann again denied the front man’s turn and volley after he had controlled a cross from Cronin well with his chest.

Then with the break approaching Gareth Hughes was adjudge to have fouled Palmer and with Thomas’ powerfully struck right foot set piece finding the top of the net Town were in front for the second time.

In response Kellaway and Evans again raided down the right and, having forced a corner, Sion James’ powerful header was cleared off the line to leave Town with a deserved advantage at the break.

Following the resumption Luke Sherbon replaced Hughes for the hosts and almost immediately Neil Thomas had to be sharp to deny the sub with his feet as Aber upped the tempo.

Pierce’s last-ditch tackle kept out Kellaway and just after the hour Cledan Davies replaced Steve Bowen and Aber moved to three at the back as they looked to get back on even terms for the second time.

With substitute Davies making an impact down the left both Chris and Neil Thomas did just enough to deny Luke Bowen after the front man was put through on goal whilst at the other end Cann did well to save Cotterrall’s shot through a crowded box.

Aneurin Thomas' apparent handball on the line from a Hicks header went unpunished whilst appeals for a penalty from the Dias Stand were waved away as Town defended the edge of the area with determination and tenacity.

The Richmond Park outfit countered well and with pace setting up several flowing moves. But despite forcing a series of corners and free kicks in good areas the cushion of a third goal remained elusive.

Cotterrall blasted over a squared ball with ten minutes remaining and deep into injury time sub Mark Pritchard somehow scooped over an open goal after his wing-man had out-flanked the defence.

But with referee Markham-Jones bringing the fog shrouded game to a close Town brought Aber's four match run to an end, extending their own positive sequence at Park Avenue to three game on the trot.

Town: N Thomas, R Hughes, Pierce, Palmer (D Thomas 84'), Cronin, C Thomas, Smothers, Hicks, Fowler, C Hughes (Pritchard 72'), Cotterrall. Sub not used: Walters.

Aberystwyth: Cann, S Bowen (Davies 64'), G Hughes, Thomas (Edwards 81'), James, Murtagh, Kelloway, Morgan, Evans, L Bowen, Glyndwr Hughes (Sherbon 47') Subs not used: Richardson, T Bowen.

Deryn's comments in full...

30.01.10 Newtown AFC 0 Carmarthen Town 0

Full credit to Newtown for their hard work in getting the game on following overnight snow and frost. And with both sides fielding new signings, Paul Roberts for the Robins and defender Dale Griffiths for Town, the game was stifled somewhat by the difficult surface. Despite plenty of energy and endeavour quality was in short supply. But both sides will be pleased to have kept a clean sheet and Town remain undefeated away from home since the end of August.

Town's Assistant Manager Mattie Davies summed up the day, "We kept a clean sheet which is always a positive to take out of any game. But it was just the quality in the final third that was disappointing more than anything. We got into good positions to deliver the ball into the box but unfortunately they didn't pay off and clear-cut chances were not created.

"Of course you would like to get three points every week. But, considering the conditions we will take the point. It is disappointing but Newtown were just below us, they remain below us and they haven't closed the gap."

Adam Worton and Neil Mitchell provided early momentum for the hosts who had the first real chance of the game on the twenty-minute mark when Dylan Blain was put through on goal only to lose out in the one-on-one with Town keeper Neil Thomas.

Paul Fowler and Mark Pritchard linked well for Town to set Nathan Cotterrall free down the left. But, with five minutes of the half remaining, a poor delivery into the box saw the threat fizzle out. Retaining possession Town continued to press. Pritchard broke through the Robins’ back line but with the ball bobbling free of his control the keeper committed to the clearance. Pritchard salvaged the situation well and, with Dave Roberts stranded, the front man lobbed the keeper only to see his well-weighted effort frustratingly denied by the bar.

Right on the stroke of half time Tim Hicks and Richard Hughes forced a corner on the right and Roberts again denied Town as he clawed away Pritchard’s header that was destined for the top back corner of the goal.

A neutral supporter might well have been forgiven for staying in the clubhouse following the break. But with Town forcing a series of early corners Roberts continued to frustrate Town’s efforts taking the high ball well despite a crowded box.

Worton broke dangerously down the right and with the ball deflected for a corner defender Damien Daniels put a good chance over before front man Roberts also squandered an effort after Worton had dispossessed Cotterrall on the edge of the box.

Around the hour mark both sides made changes as they looked for fresh impetus to break the deadlock and Robins' youngster Jamie Breeze made his presence felt with several penetrating runs down the flank. Craig Hughes replaced Pritchard and minutes later Danny Thomas provided good options in the middle for Town when he replaced Dyfan Pierce with Neil Smothers dropping to cover the left back berth.

Hicks was literally muscled off the ball by two defenders when well placed in front of goal and Paul Fowler’s drive from a Chris Thomas corner was deflected wide of the target as a final finish remained elusive.

But with a goal now likely to prove a winner there were late chances at both ends. Breeze’s incisive running continued to provide a real threat for the Robins and Nicky Palmer, when he replaced Town’s debutant defender for the final fifteen minutes, supplied additional drive and energy in the middle. Seeing one effort held well by the keeper a second, minutes later, just scraped agonisingly wide of the far upright.

But with a goalless stalemate the outcome Town maintained the advantage over the hosts with a share of the spoils a fair reflection of the game.

Newtown AFC: Roberts, C Williams, Daniels, Hutchinson, Cadwallader, Thomas, Worton, Blain (Russell 88'), Roberts (Webb 82'), Stephens, Mitchell (Breeze 58') Subs not used: James, McFadden

Town : N Thomas, R Hughes, Griffiths (Palmer 75'), Piece (D Thomas 64'), Cronin, C Thomas, Smothers, Hicks, Fowler, Pritchard (C Hughes 58'), Cotterrall.

Attendance: 205 Referee: Wayne Tregonning

Mattie's comments in full...