01.01.11 CARMARTHEN TOWN 1 LLANELLI AFC 3

Unforced errors again proved Town's undoing. Having taken the lead on twenty minutes through Corey Thomas a man-of-the match performance saw Jordan Follows level just after the half hour. But with Town conceding two second-half howlers Fellows gave the Reds the lead on 71 minutes and Craig Moses wrapped it up two minutes later as Llanelli moved into sixth following two months of inactivity.

For the second time in succession Manager Tomi Morgan was left to rue the cost of simple mistakes , "Today I thought we looked more solid with a some good performances. But again it was down to individual mistakes and a little bit of bad luck with the clearance. You cannot do that against a side like Llanelli. You have to be stronger and not give the ball away so easily”.

Town welcomed back Kieran Howard from suspension and Lee Jenkins from illness. And, in an entertaining opening, both sides starting positively as Town looked to have shrugged off Wednesday night's defeat and Llanelli looked sharp and strong despite two months of inactivity.

The early action was confined to the middle of the park despite the occasional raid on goal from both sides. Then on the twenty minute mark Town broke the deadlock. With Sacha Walters on the flank rolling the ball to Howard, Darren Griffiths showed great persistence to hold off his marker and cross in for Thomas to beat Jordan Davies at the back post and head Town ahead. Town could easily have been two up in as many minutes. With Walters again the provider Reds defender Wyn Thomas was just able to get the slightest of touches to disposes Tim Hicks as he gathered Walters' crossed ball.

Rather than give the host momentum Town's goal seemed to galvanise the visitors and on the half hour they actually got the ball into the net. But with the Assistant flagging Follows offside Town retained the advantage. But Follows was not to be denied three minutes later. A long ball out was helped on by Rhys Griffiths and with Fellows strong on the ball he out muscled Dale Griffiths to win possession and side-footed home to bring the visitors level. A saving tackle from Chris Thomas denied Darren Griffiths but it was Llanelli that looked stronger with half time approaching.

Llanelli maintained their momentum after the break. A ball over the back of Town’s defence saw Martin Giles blast over when well placed and with Llanelli pressure building Town keeper Mike Lewis just got his fingers to a vicious Fellows effort to deflect the ball on to the bar and over. But despite the visitors retaining possession and looking more menacing in attack it was simple unforced errors from Town that gifted the Reds two goals in as many minutes.

Fellows bagged his brace when he seized on a loose pass from Lee Phillips at the back to net past Lewis and then with the Reds pressing and Town clearing, the ball ricocheted off the back of a Town defender and Craig Moses added a third to ensure the points.

Llanelli will be pleased to get back into action with a win. And whilst Manager Tomi Morgan might well be pleased with some individual performances, he will be unhappy that once again defensive errors cost Town points.

Town: M Lewis, L Phillips, S Evans, Dale Griffiths (G Bansor 69'), L Bevan, K Howard, L Jenkins (B Briers 87'), Darren Griffiths, C Thomas, T Hicks (N Harrhy 77), S Walters Sub not used: O Ardolino.

Llanelli: A Morris, J Davies (S Evans 69') M Giles, C Venables, C Thomas, W Thomas, J Bowen (A Orme 81'), A Corbisiero, R Griffiths, J Fellows, C Moses (A Legg 74'), Subs not used: C Holloway, R Batley.

Referee: Darren Adie Attendance 461

07.01.11 CARMARTHEN TOWN 0 NEATH FC 3 (Trundle 57' 84' Cochlin 24')

A brace of second half Lee Trundle goals adding to Paul Cochlin’s first half header saw Neath take the points and maintain third place despite a very competitive performance from Tomi Morgan’s men.

With recent signing Richard Hughes and Nicky Palmer making their Richmond Park come backs it was the hosts that had the early chance when Palmer put Nick Harrhy through on goal. Having squared to Sacha Walters the wing-man returned the favour and with keeper Craig Morris scooping the ball away Harrhy’s effort looked to have crossed the line with the Assistant referee deciding otherwise.

Chris Jones set Chad Bond free but the former Swan lost out in the one-on-one with keeper Mike Lewis. Then on 24 minutes after Town had conceded a corner Bond crossed the ball in for Cochlin to head in at the back post and break the deadlock.

Following the break Town again had a great chance to level. Following a Town corner Darren Griffiths at the back played the ball back in for Lee Phillips to somehow scoop over the bar from close in.

With the Neath goal having enjoyed an element of luck it then needed a couple of great saves form Craig Morris to maintain the Eagle’s advantage. And with little between the sides a simple long ball from Morris saw Neath extended the lead just before the hour when, with a hint of offside, Trundle outpaced the cover to round the keeper and net from an angle and make it 2-0.

With Town pressing to reduce the arrears only desperate defending by the Eagles kept Town out. Griffiths set Corey Thomas free and with the Morris just getting a touch to Thomas’ angled shot it took a goal line clearance from James Burgin to deny Town with the ball destined for the far corner of the net. The post again denied Harrhy before Neath wrapped the game up with six minutes remaining after substitute Liam Thomas broke down the flank and played the ball back in for Trundle to volley home from the edge of the box to give the win a flattering score-line.

Justifiably Tomi Morgan felt disappointed that his side did not have something to show for their considerable contribution following a performance that had pleased the manager.

“Yes I was disappointed because I thought the performance was good. Anyone looking at the score line will think that Neath won easily. In reality, nothing could have been further from the truth”.

“We created plenty of chances. We got the ball over the line in the first half, but it wasn’t given. We’ve hit the bar and the post and their keeper has made two fantastic saves. In all I think we created seven chances. We did everything but score”.

“I thought the game was still within our grasp up until the last goal. I’ve been critical of our defence at times but on Friday night we shot ourselves in the foot by not taking our chances”.

“That’s when you see how someone like Lee Trundle makes a difference to a team. I thought he won the game for them out of nothing. He did the same against Port Talbot the week before”.

Town: M Lewis, L Phillips, S Evans (B Briers 82'), N Palmer, L Bevan, K Howard (A Thomas 86'), C Thomas (T Hicks 78', R Hughes, N Harrhy, D Griffiths, S Walters Subs not used: G Bansor, O Ardolino

Neath FC: C Morris, A Evans, J Burgin, K O'Leary, L Hancock, P Cochlin (M Rees 86'), C Jones (L Thomas 69'), A Hill, C Bond, L Trundle, K Cooper (P Fowler 58') Subs not used: S Pockett, L Cummings Attendance: 503 Referee: Paul Fisher

12.01.11 CARMARTHEN TOWN 1 THE NEW SAINTS 3

Town's top six aspirations took a serious dent as they lost out to Champions TNS in a competitive and entertaining game played in atrocious weather conditions. With Town once again the architects of their own misfortune and with a very contentious penalty decision adding to their woes Town are now without a win in seven attempts despite completive performances.

Manager Tomi Morgan was disappointed with the result and contentious penalty decision. “Yes we’ve not had the best of results lately and I’m disappointed because we have performed well. But that’s the way it is sometimes”.

“We now have three very tough away games. We'll have to see what happens. There are very few points separating the sides and a couple of results can change things completely".

"Mistakes were evident tonight and Saints took advantage. But saying that I thought we competed well, especially second half, until the contentious penalty decision went against us".

Despite the atrocious conditions Morgan felt it was the right decision to play. "The elements didn't help and it was difficult for the players to stay on their feet at times. But I thought the referee was right to play the game and over the 90 minutes I thought it was a good game".

On a rain sodden pitch both sides did well to play some entertaining football. Saints had the best possible start on three minutes when the unfortunate Stephen Pocket marked his debut by deflecting the ball into his own goal with his keeper committed to the through ball. Saints doubled the advantage on 22 minutes. Richie Partridge broke down the left and having drawn keeper Mike Lewis outside his area Partridge squared the ball across goal for Matthew Berkeley to have the simplest of tap ins and make it 2-0.

With both sides having to deal with the testing conditions Town conceded possession unnecessarily on the right on several occasions before the Saints had a good chance to extend the lead just before the half hour. Craig Jones danced his way down the flank before crossing but Berkeley failed to convert when well placed.

Then on the stroke of half time Town had some reward for their considerable contribution. Steve Evans' ball down the left was helped on by Tim Hicks for Nick Harrhy to beat the defence and keeper before netting from an angle to put Town back in contention at the break.

Following the resumption Corey Thomas replaced the injured Lee Bevan. And with Thomas slotting into midfield Pocket dropped to the back line and Town maintained momentum with an attacking formation.

Partridge played a long diagonal ball but Berkeley could only blast over. New signing Steffan Williams replaced fellow debutant Pockett and with Town continuing to press for a leveller Thomas' long angled ball found Walters on the flank. With the wing-man cutting inside he was crowded out by the solid visiting defence before referee Mr Whitby awarded a very contentious penalty that sealed the game for Saints.

With Berkeley attacking down the right Evans looked to have won the ball outside the box but was adjudged to have fouled the forward inside the area. And with the TV replay giving credence to Tomi Morgan's protestations Scott Roscoe converted the spot kick to put the game beyond Town.

Late on with the game into injury time Thomas put sub Darren Griffiths through on goal but Paul Harrison won the one-on-one as the Saints won the fifth game on the trot and are now unbeaten in eleven outings.

Town: M Lewis, R Hughes, S Evans, D Griffiths, L Bevan (C Thomas 46'), K Howard, S Pockett (S Williams 65'), N Palmer, N Harrhy, T Hicks, S Walters (D Griffiths 81') Subs: O Ardolino (Y), A Thomas (Y).

TNS: P Harrison, P Baker, T Homes, S Roscoe, C Jones, A Edwards, J McKenna, B Hogan, A Darlington (C Sergeant 53'), M Berkeley (M Williams 83'), R Partridge (J Wood 87') Subs: M Giglio (Y) Referee: M Whitby.

18.01.11 PRESTATYN TOWN 0 CARMARTHEN TOWN 0

Town showed considerable character and commitment to battle for a draw at Bastion Gardens. With little between the sides in open play Mike Lewis pulled off some top draw saves to keep Town in the game and frustrate the hosts, Ross Stephens in particular, in front of goal.

Having secured a valuable away point manager Tomi Morgan was pleased with the outcome. "Prestatyn are unbeaten at home and I thought the lads showed great character tonight to win a point. Who knows how important that will be at the end of the season".

"Mike made a few saves to keep us in contention but everyone got stuck in and there wasn't a lot between us. Importantly we kept a clean sheet and that will give us confidence".

"It wasn't a great game and it wasn't easy, but I'm pleased we got something from it. We've produced some good performances recently and had nothing to show for our efforts".

Town opened with a speculative drive from Tim Hicks but soon had to defend when they were forced to scramble away a dangerous Stephens free kick. Both sides put together some flowing moves but the hosts looked more threatening at set pieces as Town again had to defend a Gareth Wilson free kick on the quarter hour mark.

When Town conceded possession Prestatyn were very quick to capitalise and when a hurried defensive clearance fell to Stephens it took a superb, point blank, save from Lewis to deny the front man on 26 minutes before repeating the trick six minutes later, this time with his feet.

With the game flowing end-to-end Lee Bevan helped on a Sacha Walters corner but Nicky Palmer just failed to get direction on the final touch before Walters threatened with an effort that went narrowly over. On the stroke of half time John Fisher-Cook, with three goals in his last two appearances, was denied by Lewis, again at point blank range, after Stephens had put him through.

If the hosts, who had lost both returning central defenders within the first half hour, had the best of the first half chances Town showed their tenacity in the second period as the game degenerated somewhat. Following the break Town pushed further forward creating several good half chances. Corey Thomas fired narrowly over and minutes later Nick Harry was somehow blocked at the near post after a Walters corner from the right.

At the other end with Lewis committed in no man’s land, Prestatyn left back Jack Lewis sent a raking angled shot agonisingly wide of Town’s far upright. Then on the hour Prestatyn looked to have broken the deadlock but with the assistant flagging the offside the stalemate continued and the game became more open and ragged.

With both sides cancelled out each other’s mistakes the hosts began to show their frustration and Mr. Morgan’s whistle became evident.

In a late surge Town were put under considerable pressure, as they struggled to clear a series of flag kicks. But with the game into injury time substitute Darren Griffiths weaved his way through the Prestatyn defence and, with a better finish, the visitors could easily have stolen the points before Lewis parried away a late Ian Griffiths strike to keep it goalless and honours even at the death.

With a creditable clean sheet, the second of the season, Town remain unbeaten at Bastion Road with a point virtually guaranteeing Prestatyn a much converted top six placing.

Prestatyn : J Dunt, C Davies, J Lewis, D Hayes (A France 5'), P O'Neill (I Griffiths 27'), G Wilson, M Parker, N Gibson, J Fisher-Cooke (D Evans 68'), S Rogers, R Stephens

Town: M Lewis, R Hughes, S Evans, D Griffiths, L Bevan, K Howard, C Thomas (D Griffiths 72'), T Hicks, N Harrhy (S Williams 83'), N Palmer, S Walters Sub not used Briers Referee: Kevin Morgan.

25.01.11 BALA TOWN 1 CARMARTHEN TOWN 2

Town overturned a first half deficit with two second half goals to take all three points and leap frog Airbus UK into eighth and open up a valuable eight-point gap over the Lakesiders. Chris Mason deservedly put the Lakesiders ahead just before the break but seven minutes into the second half Town were back level when Nick Harrhy finished a surging Sacha Walters to make it 1-1. And it was the wing-man who also provided for Lee Bevan, just after the hour, as the defender glanced in a short corner with the side of his foot to net the winner and condemn the hosts to their fourth consecutive defeat.

Manager Tomi Morgan was pleased with the win. "It was a big, big three points. That opens up the gap somewhat on the bottom three. It will be important in the second half of the season".

"We've done well. Conditions were difficult tonight and we've had two hard mid-week games, away from home. The win will give the lads confidence with a tough cup tie coming up at the weekend".

"It was a bit scrambled at times but I thought we did better in the second half and took our goals well".

Bala started brightly. Mike Hayes caused Town problems as he picked up on a stray pass to run at the visitors and then minutes later fired a good angled strike that was well held by keeper Mike Lewis. Jon Irvin’s free kick was headed down in the box but scrambled clear before Tim Hicks at the other end saw a good effort deflected over as Town slowly overcame the initial Bala pressure to probe the home defence.

Just after the twenty minute mark Town could easily have taken the lead when following a Walters flag-kick Bevan somehow but the ball wide after it had been spilled by the newly signed keeper Terry McCormack. But it was Town’s keeper that remained busiest as Irvin’s low shot on the half hour was stopped on the line and minutes later, having picked up on a loose ball, the Bala defender saw his speculative drive again denied by Lewis.

Mark Jones orchestrated things for the hosts as Bala proved sharp on the counter. Lewis got his hand to a Jones effort whilst at the other end Mike Thompson spared his keeper blushes when he cleared a spilled ball before Chris Mason finally broke the deadlock for the hosts. With former Nomad Hayes making a strong break down the left he hoodwinked his marker and cut inside for Mason to finish from close in and reward the Lakesiders for their first half endeavour.

Following the break an initial surge from the hosts saw Bala pull the ball across an open goal as Lewis denied the hosts. Then having threatened Town were back on level terms on 52 minutes. A trademark surging run through the middle by Walters set up Harrhy to strike left footed into the corner of the goal.

In the wet and soft conditions Town maintained momentum but conceded a number of free kicks. Hayes squandered a good chance in front of an open goal before Town netted what proved to be the winner on 62 minutes. Bevan found himself unmarked on the edge of the box at a corner and with his back to goal he deftly glanced the short ball past the static defence and into the net for his second strike of the campaign.

Following the goal both sides made substitutions but the game remained open and competitive. Then with the clock winding down Bala galvanised in search of a late leveller and Town were forced to clear their lines following a goalmouth scramble. Deep into injury time substitute Darren Griffiths was red carded by Mr Evans following a clash with Mark Powell but ten man Town saw out the remaining minute to maintain a positive record at Maes Tegid.

Bala: T McCormick, J Irving, M Thompson, M Powell, D Jellicoe, R Jefferies, R Marriott, M Jones, C Mason, M Hayes, D Williams (J MacAuley 75' [S Morrison 82']) Sub not used: S Fisher

Town: M Lewis, R Hughes, S Evans, D Griffiths, L Bevan, K Howard, S Pockett (C Thomas 65'), T Hicks (D Griffiths 87'), N Harrhy, N Palmer, S Walters (D Sheehan 81'). Attendance: 142 Referee: Lee Evans

29.01.11 CARMARTHEN TOWN 2 GAP CONNAH'S QUAY 3 (AET)

With little between the sides throughout an extra time penalty by Nomads substitute Tom Baker proved the deciding factor as Town suffered a home Welsh Cup defeat at the hands of the Alliance league outfit after the game had finished 2-2 at the end of normal time.

Earlier Sacha Walters had put Town ahead on 24 minutes with a screamer of a free kick before Gary O'Toole pounced on an equaliser eight minutes before the break. And with both sides netting a goal apiece in the second period, Jamie Petrie finishing a flowing move for Nomads and Walters bagging his brace for Town, the game went into extra time before being decided from the spot.

A disappointed Town manager told Y Dre ar Y We, " Very disappointing when you’re out of any cup competition. Cup games are all about the result and today it didn't go our way".

"I don’t think we performed that well. In reality I thought they (Nomads) adapted better to the conditions than we did".

"Yes it was disappointing it was decided by a penalty because there wasn't a lot between the two sides. It was a tight game. Penalties are decided on the spot it could have gone either way - but the red card for Dale (Griffiths) was harsh".

Morgan was without cup-tied duo Steffan Williams and Stephen Pockett whilst Steve Evans and Darren Griffiths were both suspended. And with the game needing two pitch inspections before getting the nod from referee Kevin Morgan conditions under foot were tricky as both sides started cautiously with Town enjoying plenty of early possession but producing little in terms of threat in the final third.

Early exchanges saw prolific Nomads front man Gary O’Toole send a speculative shot wide of the target before debutant keeper Louis Mackin parried a Town free kick before Stuart Scheuber’s on target strike was blocked away by Town defenders.

On the 20 minute mark it needed a good covering tackle from Nomads player / manager Mark McGregor to deny Nicky Palmer after the mid fielder had picked up on Craig Jones' stray pass with Nick Harrhy’s follow-up put behind at the expense of a corner. Nomads defender Ben Collins was given a free run through the middle before Town broke the deadlock.

With Harrhy fouled Walters' screamer of a free kick from a full 30 yards found the top corner of the net to give Town the lead they just about deserved. Walters, who was playing down the left to accommodate changes, then sent in a dangerous cross that Mackin just managed to flap away with Town shirts waiting to pounce.

Andy Alston caused a couple of problems with his trademark long throws and it was from his throw in that Nomads pulled themselves level on 37 minutes. With Alston's long ball glanced on to the cross bar it rebounded to top scorer O'Toole to net the loose ball at the back post and make it all square at the break.

Nine minutes after the restart Nomads took the lead. Collins broke down the left before crossing in across goal. With Dean Thurston helping the ball on the unmarked Petrie, at the back, volleyed in from an angle to make it 2-1.

But the lead didn't last long. Within two minutes Town were back level. Richard Hughes' delivery from the right was headed down in the box by Corey Thomas for Walters to stab the ball home from close in.

With both sides pushing forward in search of a winner a ball from the right found Harrhy and with Town fans thinking he had scored a last ditch goal line clearance by Ben Aston maintained the stalemate.

On the 80-minute mark a Town move down the right involving Hughes and Palmer saw Tim Hicks' strike deflected behind. And from the resulting flag kick the keeper missed his punch but a block by Baker denied Walters a hat-trick and a possible winner. Town then survived a late scare of their own. Thurston broke free and with only the keeper to beat he fired wide under pressure from Mike Lewis.

With the game into extra time there was still very little to choose between the two sides. Town looked to have regained some momentum and Lee Bevan forced a good save from Mackin when he got a powerful head to Harrhy's flag kick. But with Nomads neat and organised in defence they coped well and following the extra time break they netted what proved to be the winner when Nomads player manager McGregor was adjudged to have been fouled in the penalty area.

With referee Morgan pointing to the penalty spot matters went from bad to worse as Town captain Dale Griffiths was, harshly, shown a red card for the offence before Baker coolly netted the winner from the spot and Nomads progressed at Town's expense.

Town: M Lewis, R Huhes, L Jenkins (B Briers 95'), D Griffiths (C), L Bevan, K Howard, C Thomas (D Sheehan 110'), T Hicks, N Harrhy, N Palmer, S Walters Subs not used: O Ardolino, M Davies T Morgan.

Gap Connah's Quay: L Mackin, B Alston (T Baker 69'), B Collins, M McGregor, A Aston, C Jones (C) J Petrie, A Hooley, G O'Toole (S McNutt 98'), D Thurston (S Baker 114'), S Scheuber Sub not used: D Pinch. Referee Kevin Morgan.