04.03.11 HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY 2 CARMARTHEN TOWN 1

Town were made to pay for missing a raft of first half chances as a second half brace by Bluebird’s front man Jack Christopher saw County claim all three points in the fight to ease their relegation worries. And despite an injury time debut goal for substitute Dan Sheehan it was little consolation for a Town side that had dominated large parts of the game, as they remain pointless in the playoff conference stage of the league.

Town quickly established a strong foothold in the home side’s half and the Bluebirds were indebted to a fine save by Neil Thomas, the former Town favourite, to deny Tim Hicks an early breakthrough. And with Nick Harrhy bursting through on goal the Town the keeper parried the striker’s strong right-footed shot to keep his side in the game.

With Nicky Palmer and Stephen Pockett dominating the middle of the field Town continued to force the pace. Sacha Walters broke through on the right but his effort just cleared the bar.

The home side provided little in the way of threat up front as Dale Griffiths and Liam Hancock won the aerial battles with Town keeper Michael Lewis effectively a spectator.

Given Town’s dominance full backs Richard Hughes and Steve Evans were able to push forward with the strong running Geraint Passmore causing the hosts all kinds of problems.

Town should have had the game sown up by half time but poor finishing and some last ditch defending by the hosts saw the stalemate continued into the break.

Following the resumption Town continued to dominate but ominously failed to capitalise from the wealth of possession. With Palmer continuing to dominate the middle of the field with an all action display, a steady stream of balls were played towards the County box but without reward.

The introduction of sub Chris O’Sullivan in the 53rd minute seemed to galvanize the Bluebird’s attack and should have rang the alarm bells for Town. Kristian Griffiths and then Kyle Graves made strong runs down the right and Richard Evans forced the Town defence scramble the ball clear before Danny Thomas flashed his effort across the six-yard box. Then with Town conceding a corner the flag kick from the right found leading scorer Christopher free at the back post and he powered a header home from three yards on sixty eighth minutes to finally break the deadlock.

Town fought valiantly to get back on even terms but with the Bluebirds breaking quickly in search of a second goal Tom Ramasut fed Evans out on the left. And with his cross into the box finding O’Sullivan the predatory Christopher made the game safe when he pounced to net the parried ball.

Sheehan’s late goal provided little consolation after he nodded home a cross from fellow sub Taylor Harding from the edge of the six-yard box. And having earlier seen two shots cleared off the line and hit the woodwork Town were left to rue their first half chances.

But with only three points separating four clubs things now very tight at the lower end of the table and Town will face another tough test when they travel to Newtown next Saturday.

County: N Thomas, K Griffiths, D Pierce, L Jarman, M Dodds, K Graves, J Bradford (C O'Sullivan 53'), T Ramasut, D Thomas (C Roberts 81'), J Christopher, R Evans Sub not used: G Elliott.

Town: M Lewis, R Hughes, S Evans, D Griffiths, L Hancock, S Pockett, G Passmore (D Sheehan 76'), T Hicks, N Harrhy (S Williams 81'), N Palmer, S Walters (T Harding 90') Subs not used: K Howard, M Davies. Referee: Darren Adie

12.03.11 NEWTOWN AFC 0 CARMARTHEN TOWN 1

Tim Hicks’ 48th minute headed goal proved to be the decider against mid Wales rivals Newtown. And despite playing with 10 men for more than an hour Carmarthen Town secured a vital victory that sees them move five points clear of the bottom three clubs.

With a score line that did not truly reflect Town’s dominance as defender Steve Evans saw red in the 29th. minute, for alleged violent conduct. But Town’s ten men produced a tenacious performance to ensure the win, the club's 200th. in the league, after Hicks was first to a Sacha Walters near-post cross three minutes into the second half.

The win was a relief to manager Tomi Morgan who has seen his side play well for no reward in the previous two games.

“It was great just to have secured the win. We played well against Haverfordwest and OK against Airbus. But we didn’t get anything out of the games”.

“What pleased me was that everyone played well and put in a good shift of work. They all gave 100 per cent and this time we kept a clean sheet and got what we deserved”.

“I think they had a couple of chances throughout. Geraint Passmore cleared one off the line and Mike Lewis put in a good block. Other than that we weren’t troubled and second half especially restricted them to shots from 25, 30 yards”.

“Tim(Hicks) took his goal well. Sacha (Walters) had shown some great skill to beat a couple of defenders before putting the ball in. A worthy winner”.

Of the sending off Morgan said, “What was really disappointing was the tackle on Tim Hicks that caused the melee. It was a really bad tackle from behind. It went unpunished. From where I was standing the rest of it was just ‘handbags’. Half a dozen of one six of the other. I’m not sure what the ref has seen so I’ll have to wait to see the report".

Town travelled to mid Wales in the knowledge that they needed something from the game to kick-start the second half of the season and build some momentum in an effort to secure premier league football next season. And with manager Tomi Morgan retaining his starting eleven, who had performed well against Haverfordwest County, his faith was rewarded with an excellent display.

Town started the game in positive fashion. Nicky Palmer and Stephen Pockett soon established a firm grip on midfield and up front Hicks and Nick Harrhy ensured that the home defence had little time to settle, limiting the Robins to a few dead-ball situations that rarely troubled the Town defence.

However, first half proceedings were dominated by the dismissal of left back Evans by referee Matt Bridges after Evans was alleged to have retaliated after a Newtown defender had badly fouled Hicks. With Pockett also booked in the resulting melee a re-organisation of Town’s line up saw Geraint Passmore dropping into defence as Morgan’s men did well to play out the remainder of the first half without any undue problems. Dylan Blain’s header past the post the only real Robins chance.

Following the resumption the Richmond Park outfit deservedly took the lead. Some disciplined defending saw Richard Hughes, captain Dale Griffiths and Liam Hancock along with the impressive Passmore limit the hosts to an extent that keeper Michael Lewis was rarely troubled with the exception of one brave save.

Although having to defend for periods Town continued to cause problems for the home defence. Hicks and Harrhy made the most of any possession to threaten the Robins’ goal with Walters also harrying the hosts by raiding down the right.

Daniel Sheehan’s came off the bench and made a telling contribution with his clever use of the ball and with match winner Hicks being replaced by Steffan Williams Town maintained momentum as they continued to command a fair share of the possession with the Robins reduced to playing ineffectual long balls down the middle.

The final whistle saw Town deservedly claimed a full tally of points that sees the Old Gold climb clear of the basement battle - six points clear of Newtown and Haverfordwest County and five points ahead of next week’s opponents Bala Town.

Newtown AFC : D Roberts, L Hartshorn, P Keddle, S Bailey (C Whitfield 55'), M Jackson, S Sutton, D Blain (Z Evans 55'), M Cook (J Price 85'), S Jones, R Millington, A Worton

Town: M Lewis, R Hughes, S Evans, D Griffiths, L Hancock, S Pockett, G Passmore, T Hicks (S Williams 88'), N Harrhy (D Sheehan 62'), N Palmer, S Walters (L Jenkins 90') Subs not used: K Howard, O Ardolino Referee: Matt Bridges Attendance 165

19.03.11 CARMARTHEN TOWN 3 BALA TOWN 1

Whilst Tim Hicks will deservedly take the hat-trick headlines it was Town keeper Mike Lewis that proved the hero with several crucial saves that included a 77th. minute penalty stop that proved the turning point of the game with the game locked at 1-1.

Manager Tomi Morgan retained the same side that had done so well at Newtown with the exception of Dan Sheehan who made his first start for Town replacing the suspended Steve Evans who had seen red the previous week.

Steve Lewis and Mike Hayes were restored to the Bala front line and both made their presence felt as they caused the Town defence some early problems. Sheehan proved persistent down the flank and his cross on 20 minutes just eluded Hicks before the front man broke the deadlock five minutes later.

Having latched onto Stephen Pocketts’ defence splitting ball Hicks coolly rounded the keeper before finishing well from a narrow angle to give the hosts the early initiative. Town looked in control as they held possession, interplayed well and were first to the second ball but on he stroke of half time as Bala gained momentum the visitors restored parity.

With Town conceding a corner Geraint Passmore headed Mark Connolly’s ball to safety at the expense of a second flag kick. And with Town struggling to clear Liam Hancock looked to have hooked Ross Jeffries' goal line effort to safety. But with the ball having clearly crossed the line referee Mark Whitby awarded the goal.

Following the break Bala continued where they had left off. Connolly and his fellow midfielders Jones and Jeffries dominated proceedings and with Lewis and Hayes continuing to threaten Town were made to defend in numbers with sporadic runs from Hicks and Walters the only relief.

With Pockett and Hancock in the thick of the action the ball was blocked off the Town line and with Bala maintaining pressure it needed a fine one-on-one save from Lewis to deny Hayes and keep Town in the game.

Chris Mason replaced Bala front man Lewis who had been a constant thorn in Town’s side. But as the visitors continued to dominate it was Lewis who again denied Hayes after the forward had broken through on 72 minutes.

With a quarter of the game remaining Town made a couple of substitutions that gave the Richmond Park outfit some in renewed momentum. But again it needed a fine stop from Town’s custodian to deny Mason’s vicious volley before the game looked as if it was going to be sealed in favour of the ‘Lakesider’s’ when Dale Griffiths pulled down Hayes just inside the area.

With some debate in the Bala ranks as to who should take the resulting penalty Jones finally placed the ball on the spot before seeing his penalty well saved by Lewis. And with Bala clearly reeling from the missed opportunity Town seized the initiative as Hicks punished the visitors when he bagged his brace four minutes later.

Substitute Kieran Howard broke down the flank before playing in Sheehan. And with Hicks squeezed between two defenders his hooked shot looped over the keeper having taken something of a deflection to put Town ahead for the second time.

Three minutes later and the game was won. Passmore was tripped as he broke into the box and with Mr. Whitby pointing to the spot Hicks made no mistake to net his hat-trick as Town took the points to move eight points clear of the visitors.

With Mason's late angled drive flying over Bala will reflect on a number of missed chances that could well have won them the game. And Town, who are now only two points behind Aberystwyth Town, will take confidence from the win as they look to overhaul the eight placed 'Seasiders' who are Friday’s visitors to Richmond Park .

Manager Tomi Morgan was delighted with the win but not so happy with the performance. "Yes it was a good result but not the best of performances. What’s important is the three points and that’s what we achieved today".

" I would have put money on Mark Jones tucking away the penalty. But a good save from Mike Lewis and a couple of other saves as well kept us in there".

" Tim (Hicks) will get the headlines with his goals but there were a few other performances as well. I thought Dan Sheehan and Liam Hancock defended well".

Morgan felt that Town still had plenty of work to do. "We need to take a close look at today's game before we start to think about next week's game against Aberystwyth. Yes the three points has given us some daylight but there's still plenty of work to do".

Town: M Lewis, R Hughes, D Sheehan, D Griffiths, L Hancock, S Pockett, G Passmore, T Hicks, N Harrhy (S Williams 73'), N Palmer (C Thomas 68'), S Walters (K Howard 77') Subs not used: L Bevan, T Harding

Bala: T McCormick, M Powell, J Irving, D Williams, S Kelly (S Morrison 86'), R Jeffries, M Connolly, M Jones, M Hayes, S Lewis (C Mason 64'), R Marriott (J McAuley 85'). Referee: Mark Whitby

25.03.11 Carmarthen Town 0 Aberystwyth Town 1

Having won two games on the bounce Town’s positive run came to a sudden halt against Aberystwyth when a 47th. minute strike by Lewis Codling proved enough for the ‘Seasiders’ to take the points. And to add to Tomi Morgan’s woes Town were forced to play the last 20 minutes with ten men after Dale Griffiths was red carded by Referee Kevin Morgan for allegedly denying Ashley Stott a goal scoring opportunity.

Disappointed manager Morgan felt that Town had been second best. “Yes disappointed to have lost but when you’re down to ten men it’s always going to be difficult".

"We didn't really get going tonight. But full marks to the boys they showed considerable effort after the sending off and we could well have got something from the game. Having said that they could have made the game safe".

"We were second best tonight".

With Liam Hancock injured Deryn Brace was drafted into the left back birth with Richard Hughes moving inside to partner Griffiths in the centre of defence. The visitors also made the one change in defence with Aneurin Thomas covering for the suspended Siôn James.

In a non-descript first period chances were few and far between. Codling quickly established himself as the Aber playmaker and Ricky Evans headed straight at Mike Lewis from a Craig Williams cross. With Tim Hicks latching on to a Town long ball his low cross in to the waiting Nick Harrhy was sharply cut out by Aber keeper Stephen Cann.

Kieran Howard replaced the injured Brace after 25 minutes with Geraint Passmore dropping into defence to accommodate the change. And with the break approaching Stott’s vicious volley was deflected wide and Hicks’ strike into the side netting following Howard’s quick throw-in was the closest that either side came to breaking the deadlock.

The second half saw the game come to life with the visitors pressing from the off. A move down the left saw Ricky Evans cross-in from the flank and with Codling unmarked at the back he fired past Lewis for what ultimately proved the difference between the two sides.

With Town reeling a little Aber came close to doubling the advantage. Dan Sheehan brought down Stott on the edge of the D with Evans’ well-struck free kick beating the wall and whistling narrowly over. Then within minutes Stott played a low ball across an open goalmouth but Steff Edwards just failed to apply the finishing touch.

Town changed to a more attacking formation, playing three up front, as they went in search of a leveller. Passmore proved persistent as Town swept forward but the Richmond Park outfit lacked composure as both Sacha Walters and Hicks fired wide as did Codling at the other end with Lewis rooted to the spot.

Then, in the 69th minute, a debatable decision from the Assistant saw Town captain Griffiths dismissed by referee Kevin Morgan and the game became far more open. Lewis proved resilient to deny both Anthony Finselbach and Stott in one-on-ones with Codling’s shot also denied following an Edwards cross.

And despite Morgan sending on Corey Thomas and Steff Williams to galvanise late momentum Howard’s low strike was held by Cann and for the fifth time this season Town failed to beat their west Wales rivals.

Town : M Lewis, R Hughes, D Sheehan, D Griffiths, D Brace (K Howard 26'), S Pockett, G Passmore, T Hicks, N Harrhy, N Palmer (C Thomas 82'), S Walters (S Williams 74').

Aberystwyth : S Cann, C Williams (C Murtagh 66'), M Howard, A Thomas, J McCarten, A Finselbach, L Codling, B Morgan, A Stott (C Davies 90'), R Evans, S Edwards (A Pepper 83'). Referee: Kevin Morgan