27.03.07 WELSHPOOL TOWN 1 CARMARTHEN TOWN 1

A late penalty award denied Town a deserved away win at Maes-Y-Dre on Tuesday night.

Town took the lead on 70’ when Sasha Walter’s shot was palmed away by keeper Gerard McGuigan and Kaid Mohamed netted the loose ball to notch up his fourteenth strike of the season.

With Town looking good value for their slim lead they dealt comfortably with a series of late free kicks from the hosts. Then with time almost up referee Andy Richards adjudged that Town had handled in the box and Steve Rogers netted the spot kick to salvage a point for the hosts.

Welshpool Town: McGuigan, Windsor, Dowridge, James (Shannon 75'), Jefferies, Keegan, Vernon (Thomas 82'), Cunnah (Stokoe 74'), Rogers, Davies, Wilkinson. Subs not used: Jones, McLeod.

Carmarthen Town: N.Thomas, Evans, Keddle, Walters, Hancock, K.Thomas, D.Thomas, Ramasut, Fowler, Mohamed, Cotterrall. Subs not used: M.Davies, Loss, Brace.

Attendance: 322 Referee: Andy Richards

23.03.07 CARMARTHEN TOWN 1 ABERYSTWYTH TOWN 0

A GOAL in injury time by full-back Terry Evans gave Carmarthen Town a vital victory in their quest for a European spot in this hard-fought encounter.

Paul Keddle's cross to the far post was headed home by Evans, giving the right-back his second successive winning goal at Richmond Park following his effort against Cwmbran.

Having fought tenaciously for every ball in this highly competitive and tense affair, the visitors will be disappointed with the outcome.

Having clearly had the better of the first half, the Seasiders were reduced to 10 men for most of the second half following Gavin Cadwallader's dismissal by referee Paul Thomas for bringing down Town captain Nathan Cotterall as he bore down on goal.

The game began in a positive manner for the visitors, their midfield winning most of the possession and putting the home defence under pressure.

A cross into the box resulted in home keeper Neil Thomas clashing with fellow defender Mark Dodds.

It was with some relief that Town fans saw Thomas recover and resume his position in goal.

This proved to be vital as Thomas went on to make three superb saves before the end of the first half.

His first, at the feet of Andy Evans, came after Aber captain Bari Morgan had released the forward down the right. Thomas then denied Evans for a second time and produced a wonderful one-handed effort to deny Luke Sherbon's well-directed header.

At the other end, Town's only chance of the half fell to Danny Thomas, who burst through the Aber defence but was denied by goalkeeper Richard Morgan.

The second period saw Town resume in a more positive fashion, retaining a fairer share of possession.

With Cadwallader dismissed and Town bolstering the attack with the introduction of sub Mattie Davies, the visitors had to be wary of the rejuvenated Town attack.

Tom Ramasut became more influential in midfield and strong running by Kaid Mohamed resulted in several half chances being created as the game remained evenly balanced.

Then as the fourth official indicated three added minutes of stoppage time, Keddle lifted the ball into the Aber box for the marauding Evans to pop up at the back post and head in the winner that gave Carmarthen a full quota of points to maintain their challenge on the European placings.

Town now face a run of important games that will shape their season.

Carmarthen Town: N. Thomas, Evans, Keddle, Loss (M. Davies 62), Dodds, K. Thomas, D. Thomas, Ramasut, Fowler, Mohamed, Cotterrall. Subs not used: Brace, Hancock.

Aberystwyth Town: R. Morgan, James, M. Roberts, Thomas, Edwards, Kellaway (Ogilvy 62), A. Evans, B. Morgan, S. Roberts, Sherbon, Cadwallader. Subs not used: Lewis, E. Evans.

Attendance: 404. Referee: Paul Thomas.

16.03.07 Port Talbot 1 Carmarthen Town 0

Since leaving Port Talbot, Carmarthen Town manager Mark Jones had not won in the League at his former club in three attempts. And with a last minute strike from former Town mid-fielder Dean Johnston depriving Town of a deserved share of the points on Friday night Jones’ miserable record at the Remax Stadium remained.

With little to choose between the sides and the game heading for a draw a clever little back heel from Lee John on the flank found Dyfan Pierce whose low shot come cross was blocked by Neil Thomas before Johnston struck home the rebound to claim all three points for the hosts.

Ironically it had been Thomas who had denied the ‘Steelmen’ an injury time equaliser from the spot at Richmond Park earlier in the season when Town had won the reverse fixture by the narrowest of margins.

“Football is funny sometimes. I’ve not won at Port Talbot in the League since moving to Carmarthen. There is never anything in it when we play.

“I didn’t think we deserved to get beat. They started well but I thought we controlled things for an hour. Maybe we didn’t create enough goal scoring chances.

“They seemed happy with a point at 85 minutes. But as we were still pushing for the win they caught us on the break.

Manger Mark Jones summed up the mood of the dressing room.

“Everyone was down. We all knew we should have had something from the game.

We have the belief that we will get there and we have to keep plugging away. We still have to play both Llanelli and Welshpool in the next few weeks.

It was a cruel end to what had been an open game on quite a difficult surface and with a very strong wind both sides struggled to control the ball.

The hosts almost had a dream start when John’s fierce shot was blocked by Thomas and Chad Bond sent the rebound over a gaping goal.

With the game under the control of Irish referee Stephen Weatherall the hosts continued to enjoy the best of the early exchanges. Dylan Blain headed over Leigh DeVulgt’s corner and Pierce’s angled shot went just wide following a strong run down the flank by teenager Scott Barrow.

Following the 20 minute mark Town adjusted to the conditions and got a foothold in the game. Nathan Cotterrall’s raking shot was palmed over by Kristian Rogers and as the exchanges became more evenly contested Liam Hancock did well to deny Blain room in front of gaol.

Danny Thomas, who orchestrated much of Town’s mid field action, combined well with Kris Thomas through the middle and when Paul Fowler fed Cotterrall the wing man’s fierce effort was palmed wide as EMC sponsored Carmarthen Town enjoyed a period of sustained pressure on the home goal just before the half way mark.

Following the break Town continued where they left off with a period of early pressure as Cotterrall and Paul Keddle combined well to force a series of corner kicks.

But, with the game opening up, Town had to be alert to the danger in their own box as Terry Evans was forced to clear his own line.

With action at both ends there was little finesse and as Town looked to be getting the upper hand Kris Thomas’ shot was spilled by Rogers and substitute Mattie Davies fired the rebound into the side netting from close in.

With the clock winding down and the points looking as if they were going to be shared Town looked comfortable. But having pushed up in search of a winner the visitors were caught on the break and with a minute remaining Johnston punished his former club just as Thomas had done in the earlier encounter.

Port Talbot Town : Rogers, de Vulgt, Pierce, Hanford, Rees, Williams, John, Blain, Bond (Rose 90'), Barrow, Johnston. Subs not used: Burrows, Surman, Wellington

Carmarthen Town : N. Thomas, Evans, Keddle, Hancock, Dodds, K. Thomas, D. Thomas, Ramasut, Fowler, Mohamed, Cotterrall (M. Davies 75'). Subs not used: Brace, Loss.

Attendance: 223 Referee: S Wetherall (NIR)

09.03.07 Carmarthen Town 1 Cwmbran Town 0

With Terry Evans’ strike proving to be the only goal of the game Carmarthen Town lifted themselves back up to fourth position at Richmond Park on Friday evening condemning visitors Cwmbran Town to their eighth successive defeat.

But, despite dominating the game, missed chances by the hosts and some fine goalkeeping by League debutant Keiron Blackburn in the visiting goal kept the Crows in contention.

Then with Town conceding several late free kicks in dangerous positions the Richmond Park outfit weathered a final five minute surge as Cwmbran threw everyone forward in search of an equaliser.

But with the home defence remaining strong and the game finally won Town manager Mark Jones was realistic in his appraisal.

“In a game which we should have won by four or five goals, in the end the final whistle could not come soon enough.

“At this stage of the season three points are three points, we were guilty of some poor finishing and put ourselves under pressure in the last five minutes.

“But the lads have had a busy and hard couple of weeks with cup competition that involved extra time. In the end I’m just grateful for the three points.

Coach Mark Aizlewood agreed.

“For 85 minutes we were the better side and comfortable. The last five minutes were anxious for no other reason than the need of a second goal.

“I thought we were lively and had good movement throughout. We changed things a little in the second half moving Ramasut and Kaid (Mohamed) to the left with Cotterrall and Mattie Davies up front.

“We created plenty of chances but our final ball needs to be more clinical.

Having dominated the opening half hour completely Nathan Cotterrall’s strike was blocked at the near post and Mark Dodds’ snap shot from Evans’ nod down on the edge of the box ricocheted off Blackburn’s leg at point blank range.

Town’s nerves were settled somewhat on 34 minutes when both fullbacks combined well to break the deadlock and net what proved to be the deciding strike of the game.

Fine work by Paul Keddle on the left produced a telling cross that Terry Evans on the right headed in at the back post to give Town the advantage they fully deserved.

Having take the lead the hosts were guilty of some wayward finishing. Kaid Mohamed should have made it two from Keddle’s cross and, having been played in by Danny Thomas; Dodds put the ball over with the goal at his mercy.

The second half saw Town continue to dominate. Tom Ramasut in the middle had plenty of time to orchestrate the Town forward line. Persistence by Kris Leek and a raking shot from Michael Parkins, that was well held by Neil Thomas, proved the only threat from the visitors.

Blackburn palmed away Ramasut’s low effort and minutes later tipped over Mohamed’s header. But with the post blocking the former Crow’s well struck corner the comfort of a second goal remained elusive.

Town played a series of short corners in an attempt to change the pattern but to no avail. Tthe Crows introduced Kristian Hanbury just before the hour and he provided more of a physical presence. But with Paul Fowler once again proving his worth in mid field nullifying any danger Town continued to dominate.

With Cotterrall, sub Mattie Davies and Mohamed off target Cwmbran staged a final flourish with defender Gareth Wysome firing a well struck shot to test Neil Thomas. But with the final whistle signalling a well deserved win for Town the Richmond Park outfit remain in European contention.

Carmarthen Town: N. Thomas, Evans, Keddle, Hancock, Dodds (M. Davies 71'), K. Thomas (Brace 90'), D. Thomas (Loss 75'), Ramasut, Fowler, Mohamed, Cotterrall. Subs not used: S. Davies, M. Williams.

Cwmbran Town: Blackburn, Davies (Small 53'), Wysome, Clare, Collins, Parkins, Leek, Williams, Prosser, Houston (B. Evans 67'), Mouncher (Hanbury 53'). Sub not used: Prangley

Attendance: 342 Referee: Ceri Richards

03.03.07 Carmarthen Town 1 CPD Porthmadog 1 (AET)
Town win 4-3 on penalties

With 120 minutes of football and eight rounds of penalties failing to separate the sides it was ultimately Paul Fowlers’ spot kick that put Carmarthen Town through to the semi final stages of the Welsh Cup for the third time in the club's history.

Cup competition is all about the right result and having experienced the highs and the lows of penalty shoot-outs it was Town’s keeper Neil Thomas who proved the hero, making four critical saves to ensure that it was the Richmond Park outfit that will face either Llanelli AFC or Connah’s Quay Nomads to decide a place in the Welsh Cup Final.

As in any cup game of high tension there are heroes and villains. mark Jones said:

"The obvious hero was Neil Thomas who saved four penalties. That was miraculous and I think the fans appreciated it. I was amazed and quite amused at the end when one of the supporters walked on and offered Neil Thomas a tenner for a drink as he had really made his day.

“I was disappointed with Sasha’s lack of discipline. It is not acceptable, there was no need for it and he will be disciplined by the club.

Of the extra time penalty incident Jones said:

I thought the keeper was very lucky to have stayed on. He could have been sent off and that could have changed the whole game.

But first and foremost the Richmond Park boss was really pleased with his side’s commitment:

“Including extra time we played about 65 minutes with ten men and we’re through to the next round. That is fantastic.

“What we have to remember is that Porthmadog have put TNS out of two cup competitions this season.

“I was really pleased at the effort when we were down to ten men. We went to win it. We changed to a 4 – 3 – 2 formation rather than the 4 – 4 - 1 that a lot of teams do and we put Mattie and Nathan up front. We showed commitment.

“Tom Ramasut was outstanding after the sending off. He kept the game going for us, he kept us ticking.

“Les Davies is big and strong and always a threat but I thought Kris Thomas and Mark Dodds shepherded him well.

It was Thomas who gave Town an early advantage when his 12th. minute free kick from the edge of the box, after Terry Evans had been brought down, beat Richard Harvey. And with Evans' tackle on Carl Owen maintaining Town's slim lead into the second period the game took a dramatic turn on the hour when Sasha Walters saw red after a petulant stamp on Port’s Mike Foster.

With the visitors enjoying a numerical advantage they dominated possession but without creating any clear cut chances. Then with twenty minutes remaining Town found themselves under pressure as Porthmadog pulled the game level. Carl Jones got on the end of a high diagonal ball and having cut inside and played it back across goal Les Davies turned it in at the far post to make it 1-1.

Town upped the tempo and Mattie Davies, who had replaced Kaid Mohamed, had several good chances to regain the lead but having been denied by a couple of finger tip saves from Harvey and seen another effort cleared off the line by John Gwynfor Jones the game went into extra time.

Four minutes into extra time Davies was felled by Harvey in the box and with the keeper fortunate only to see yellow captain Nathan Cotterrall took responsibility. But with his spot kick finding the post rather than the back of the net the game remained on a knife edge. Davies and sub Liam Hancock both tested Harvey and with Neil Thomas turning Mike Foster’s free kick over the bar the game went to penalties.

With both sides having progressed from the previous round via penalty shootouts it was once again a nail biting way to decide the outcome. But, with both sides making critical saves and misses, it was Fowler’s sudden-death effort that finally produced the deserved decider that saw Town book their semi final berth.

Carmarthen Town : N. Thomas, Evans (Loss 119'), Keddle, Walters, Dodds (Hancock 90'), K. Thomas, D. Thomas, Ramasut, Fowler, Mohamed (M. Davies 65'), Cotterrall.

CPD Porthmadog : Harvey, J.G. Jones, Foster, R. Roberts, R. Davies, R. Hughes, Rowlands, Caughter, Orlik (C. Jones 46'), Owen (Sadler 90'), L. Davies. Sub not used: Mitchell.

Attendance: 226 Referee: Kerry Morgan