28.03.05 CARMARTHEN TOWN 5 LLANELLI AFC 1

Town ‘s comprehensive win over near neighbours Llanelli FC gave the Richmond Park outfit a confidence boosting win ahead of the Welsh Cup semi-final tie against Haverfordwest County at Stebonheath next Saturday.

A Jeff Aspell brace gave Town some early momentum after he struck home Luke Hardy’s through ball on 4 minutes and Kevin Evans’ cross with 25 minutes gone. Leyton Maxwell added a third from a Mark Dodds looping cross with five minutes remaining giving Town a commanding lead at the break.

But the traffic had not all been all one way. Craig Williams, Martin Rose and Peter Cheeseman had enjoyed some success as they exposed Town’s right flank. But despite testing Town’s defence Llanelli failed to convert as Cheesman saw his effort hit the base of the post and Kyle Shephard saw his point blank shot cleared off the line by Martyn Giles.

The second period saw Town’s Nicky Burke head narrowly over when well placed and when Llanelli’s Dyfan Pierce’s header was cleared off the line by Lloyd Town added to Llanelli’s frustrating afternoon by extended the lead shortly after as Kevin Evans headed home Lloyd’s well struck free kick on 65 minutes to make it 4-0.

But the visitors, and Williams in particular, had some recompense for their efforts. Rose was brought down in the box and Williams pulled one back for the visitors with the spot kick. But with three minutes remaining Maxwell provided Burke with a second chance as he hit home the mid-fielder’s inch perfect cross to extend the lead once again and bag a full quota of points.

Carmarthen Town Pennock, Hardy, Lloyd, Giles (James 61'), Smothers, Jones, Maxwell, Kennedy, Dodds, Aspell (Burke 46'), Aherne-Evans (Cotterrall 84'). Squad Photo

Llanelli AFC G.Williams, Wright, Pierce (Connor81'), Ashley, Bird, Guy (Morgan 58'), Shephard
(D.Jones 84'), Street, Cheesman, Rose, C.Williams.

Attendance: 428 Referee: R J Ellinhgam

25.03.05 Rhyl FC 3 Carmarthen Town 1

Despite the sun at Rhyl, Carmarthen Town were in the shadows for most of the first half. Having had to make two very late changes Town wilted under the heat of the Rhyl attack and with Hunt and Moran a constant threat it was only a matter of time before Town’s back line was breached.

In the end Rhodri Thomas was harshly adjudged to have handled on 20 minutes and Moran converting the spot kick for the first of his afternoon’s hatrick. Town then suffered a further setback when Lima was stretchered off just after the half hour to be replaced by Smothers. With the tall defender gone Town struggled to clear the high ball and Moran grabbed his second from close in.

At the start of the second period Dodds came on for Burke but before the bustling forward could get into the thick of the action referee Hames duly awarded the hosts a second spot kick after the impressive Hunt and keeper Pennock had bundled into one another.

Town showed far more endeavour with the changes but did not always exploit the early advantage to get the ball into threatening areas. Aspell pulled one back with fifteen minutes remaining when Lloyd’s free kick found Evans at the back of the box who nodded down for the striker to finish - but with a two goal cushion there was really only one outcome. In the end the hosts were comfortable winners.

Rhyl FC: Smith, Graves, Brewerton, Atherton, Edwards, Davies, Wilson (G.Powell 87'), Limbert, Hunt, Moran (McGinn 85'), Adamson.

Carmarthen Town: Pennock, Aherne-Evans, Lloyd, Giles, Lima (Smothers 35'), Jones, Maxwell, Kennedy, Aspell, Cotterrall (James 65'), Burke (Dodds 46').

22.03.05 Afan Lido 0 Carmarthen Town 2

With Town in complete control for the opening twenty minutes it took two excellent saves by Lido keeper Brian Thomas plus the woodwork to deny the visitors an early opener on a very wet and sticky pitch on Tuesday evening. With a cloud burst just before KO having put the game in some doubt the Lido defence was finally breached with five minutes of the half remaining.
Leighton Maxwell's pin point cross field ball cleared Mark Dodds out on the right but found Martin Giles on the overlap. The defender's low cross eluded the Lido defence for Neil Smothers to hammer home from the edge of the box with a low, right foot, rocket of a shot to give Town a deserved first half advantage for their early endevour.

The second half saw Lido come more into the game. With the run of the ball unpredictable on the rain soaked surface the hosts survived a confident penalty appeal on the hour but the respite was short lived as Town doubled the advantage ten minutes later. Substitute Nathan Cotterall was put clear down the left by Giles and having made the bye line the winger's cross was volleyed home by the unmarked Kevin Evans .
The last ten minutes of this firecly competative game saw Lido press forward at every opportunity. Debutant Leighton Thomas saw his effort cleared off Town's line by Evans and in a goal mouth skirmish a second goal line clearance skidded off the surface and went behind off the base of the post. But in the end it was a well deserved three points for the Richmond Park outfit.

Afan Lido FC : B.Thomas, Driscoll, Roberts, Martin (Taylor 75' [D.Williams 80']), P.Evans, L.Thomas, McCreesh, Pridham (Lewis 62'), Walters, O'Leary, Hurley.

Carmarthen Town: Pennock, Carter, Lloyd, Giles, Lima, Smothers, Aherne-Evans, Maxwell (Hardy 82'), Dodds (Aspell 75'), Burke (Cotterrall 65'), Kennedy.
Attendance: 175 Referee: S Jones

19.03.05 Airbus UK 0 Carmarthen Town 1

Carmarthen Town completed their first double of the current campaign with a low key 1-0 win over lowly Airbus UK with Craig Lima’s first minute goal, from debutant Leighton Maxwell’s corner, proving to be the only score of the game.

Lima, who has impressed in both an attacking and defensive role for Town this season, used his height to good advantage as he rose superbly at the far post to head home Maxwell’s set piece.

Having taken the early lead Town controlled comfortably all that relegation threatened Airbus could throw at them and the reward for the long journey to North Wales was a deserved full quota of points.

On a bright sunny day conditions underfoot were difficult. With the pitch having dried out in the prevailing windy conditions the ball bounced awkwardly on the hard surface and was not conducive to fast flowing football.

Tony Pennock in the Town goal was rarely troubled and it was a full half hour before the home team managed to break through the visiting defence with some clever inter passing forcing Martyn Giles to clear off his line. And with Jamie Hughes putting his effort over from a corner Town dealt comfortably with the rare period of home pressure.

On the stroke of half time Jeff Aspell, who had a very busy first half, was put through but he was denied by the legs of Paul Whitfield in the home goal leaving Town with only a slim advantage at the break.

The second half opened in similar vein to the first. Lima once again climbed highest to a free kick though this time sending his header inches wide of the upright. The home side maintained possession for a period but were unable to trouble the visiting defence that was ably marshalled by Richard Carter.

And it was the visitors who finished strongly. The introduction of Nathan Cotterall from the substitute’s bench had a clear impact and it was the wing man who came nearest to extending Town’s lead when a strong run ended with his shot creeping past the post leaving Lima’s early goal the difference between the two sides.

Manager Mark Jones was satisfied with his side’s performance under the difficult playing conditions.

"It was a mean 1-0 win. There was not a lot in the game and Airbus have improved lately as their results have shown.

"They’ve signed Jamie Hughes, the former Cardiff City player, and he was a threat all afternoon but the back four coped well.

"Lima’s goal was wonderful. He stormed in from the edge of the eighteen yard line, it was a good old fashioned centre half’s goal. We needed the win and we got it. If we win on Tuesday we are back in contention. I think we can do it".

12.03.05 Carmarthen Town 1 Caersws FC 1

With all eyes on Irish referee Alan Black it was a very controversial 89th. minute decision by his senior assistant that saw Town record their tenth league draw of the season at Richmond Park on Saturday.

The Northern Ireland referee was officiating at Richmond under the Welsh Premier League's exchange programme with other home football associations but the Irishman had little to deal with in an opening period where Andy Marfell's 34th. minute goal for Caersws was the only noteworthy event in a drab and low key first half.

Pressure from Caersws marksman Graham Evans saw midfielder Graham Jones picking up on sloppy passing by Town's defence and having breached the host's back line drew keeper Tony Pennock before passing to Andy Marfell who had the simplest of tasks to side foot home to give the visitors a first half advantage.

The game came to life early in the second half when Town manager Mark Jones introduced Rhodri Jones and Jeff Aspell from the bench. With Craig Lima moving from his central defensive role to the middle of the forward line Town adopted an attacking 3 4 3 formation. This was a clear indication from the manager that his intention was to inflict a third defeat on the mid Wales visitors.

Jones dominated the middle of the park and drove Town forward in search of an equaliser. Jeff Aspell's excellent cross across goal on the hour went begging for a final touch and with Kevin Evans and Gary Lloyd peppering the visiting goal area from corners the Richmond Park outfit upped the tempo and the Bluebirds defence found themselves under scrutiny for the first time in the game.

Then on 69 minutes a long throw in from Evans was flicked on by Lima and the bubbling Aspell produced an acrobatic overhead kick to level the score giving Town deserved reward for their second half endeavour.

Minutes later a brave save from Tony Pennock denied Marfell and when substitute Neville Thompson, who'd made a couple of incisive runs, picked up on Andrew Thomas' free kick he found himself in space but squandered his chance by blazing over with only Pennock to beat.

Then with only a minute of normal time remaining and Town pressing the visitor's goal controversy erupted. Evans' cross beyond the back post was headed back in by Aspell and with Martyn Giles on hand to scramble home Town looked to have sealed the three points.

But the celebrations were short lived. In the absence of any protestations from the visitors Mr. King's flag signalled that the ball had gone out of play and Town supporters were left furious and bewildered by the assistant's decision.

Manager Mark Jones was clearly frustrated and disappointed by the final outcome.

“I don't think we turned up for the first half and gave away a very sloppy goal. Nothing was happening after the break so I made changes.

“It took some guts to move to 3 4 3 against a good side like Caersws”, he added “but it made a difference. Rhodri bossed the midfield and we certainly held the upper hand in the second half.

“In the end I thought a perfectly good goal was disallowed. It's frustrating but we had to settle for a point”.

Carmarthen Town Pennock, Carter, Lloyd, Giles, Chiverton, Smothers (Aspell 52'), Aherne-Evans, Kennedy, Lima , Dodds, Burke (Jones 52'). Sub not used: Hardy

Caersws FC Mulliner, Thomas, Jehu, Reynolds, Clarke, Lewis, Jones, Marfell, G.Evans (Thompson 46'), R.Evans, Davies. Subs not used: Bermingham, M.Probert.

Attendance: 301 Referee: A Black ( Northern Ireland )

05.03.05 Caersws FC 0 Carmarthen Town 1 (Welsh Cup Quarter Final)

What a difference a week makes as Carmarthen Town produced an excellent performance in windswept conditions at Caersws on Saturday that saw the Richmond Park outfit progress in a second cup completion in the space of a week.

Having booked their place in the final of the Loosemore's League Cup at Porthmadog in midweek, Town's excellent cup form saw them negotiate a difficult encounter with some character at Caersws to set up a mouth-watering semi-final tie against near neighbours and rivals Haverfordwest County on the 2 nd . April 2005.

Manager Mark Jones was delighted with his team's performance.

“We had a wake up call against Caernarfon last week and we turned in a good performance at Porthmadog in mid week to get into the League Cup final.

“Today was a big, big win for us and another great day for the club. The fans were great and gave us fantastic support and the lads did everything I asked. I'm delighted but I thought we should have won by three or four.

“When I saw the conditions I decided to change my line-up and play a 5 3 2 formation to counter the strong wind. Craig Lima went to the back for his added height and I pushed Mark Dodds up front to give us some pace under the high ball and it worked.

The Richmond Park boss' tactics proved spot on as Dodd's ninth minute goal saw the pacey striker beat Caersws' keeper Andrew Mulliner to nod home Richard Kennedy's high ball to give Town an early advantage which, in the end, proved to be the difference between the two sides.

In the absence of team captain Rhodri Jones through injury the midfield pairing of Kennedy and Neil Smothers proved effective in stifling the usually creative Caersws line-up. Lima 's added presence at the back enabled Gary Lloyd and Richard Carter to push forward more down the flanks and Carter's surging second half runs in particular caused problems for the hosts.

With the ‘Bluebirds' missing mid field dynamo Chris Venables and without a win in the last three outings they looked lacking in confidence and when Andrew Davies was put through immediately after Town's goal he showed little conviction as he was denied by keeper Tony Pennock.

Again just after the 20 minute mark Caersws danger man Graham Evans was set free by Andy Marfell and with the marksman looking to chip the keeper he frustratingly only succeeded in putting the ball over the bar in the blustery conditions

Dodd's strong running became a feature and it took a goal line clearance from Hugh Clark to ease the pressure for the hosts after the striker had ran the length of the field to force a corner.

But it was the home custodian that kept his team in the game denying Kennedy, following an incisive three man move mid way through the first period and with a brilliant one handed save from Kevin Evans' rocket of a volley after Lima had headed down a Lloyd corner just before the break.

The second half proved a nail biting affair with Town looking to put the game beyond the hosts and the ‘Bluebirds' pushing for the equaliser. But with Pennock in commanding form and Martyn Giles sweeping up effectively in front of him Town stifled the host's front line and Sean Jehu's well struck set pieces proved troublesome throughout necessitating a tip-over from Pennock on one occasion.

Then, with six minutes remaining and the home side pressing, it took a tremendous block from Pennock to deny Marfell's point blank effort and ensure that it was EMC sponsored Carmarthen Town that progressed to the semi final stage of this year's Welsh Cup competition.

Caersws FC: Mulliner, Thomas, Jehu, Reynolds, Clarke, Lewis (McPhee 71'), Bermingham (Thompson 71'), Marfell, Evans, Jones (M.Probert 77'), Davies.

Carmarthen Town : Pennock, Carter, Lloyd, Giles, Chiverton, Smothers, Aherne-Evans, Kennedy, Lima , Dodds (Summers 71'), Burke. Subs not used: Hardy, Devonald .

Attendance : 320 Referee : S C Hames (Aberdare)

01.03.05 CPD Porthmadog 2 Carmarthen Town 2 (Town win 3-2 on aggregate)

Town booked their League Cup Final place with a 2-2 draw at Y Traeth on Tuesday evening. Carl Owen put the hosts deservedly ahead after 13 minutes with a well struck volley from 25 yard as Town struggled under the early Porthmadog pressure.

Town got the all important away goal and equaliser eleven minutes later -in similar circumstances. Port were unable to clear a series of throw ins and Richard Kennedy struck home to level the score.
A couple of minutes later Owain Roberts blasted over when well placed and Town had to withstand intense Port Pressure just before half time.

Following the break Luke Hardy replaced Rhodri Jones and with some changes in formation Town looked more organised with the game finely balanced. Just after the hour Town conceded a corner with some loose defending and Steve Jones put the hosts ahead once more.

With twenty minutes remaining and Hardy providing the decoy for a short corner Gary Lloyd found Kevin Evans in front of goal and as the defence pushed out Evans chipped the ball back in and Chiverton stabbed it home to level once more and set up a repeat of last year's cup final line-up against Rhyl.

CPD PorthmadogMcGuigan, J.G.Jones, Foster (Parry 75'), Davies, Webber, Roberts, R.Owen, S.Jones (T.Williams 75'), M.Williams, C.Owen, Caughter. Subs not used: Harrison, J.P.Jones,
B.Evans

Carmarthen TownPennock, Carter, Lloyd, Giles (Devonald 62'), Chiverton, Jones (Hardy
52'), Aherne-Evans, Dodds, Lima, Burke (S.Davies 89'), Kennedy.

Attendance: 120 Referee: D C Richards