Adroddiadau Tachwedd 00 / November 00 Reports..............


CARMARTHEN TOWN 4 BANGOR CITY 0

Richard Parker had a hand in all four goals that took Town to the top place of the in LOW table for the first time this season following their comprehensive win over Bangor City at wind swept Richmond Park.

After heavy morning rain that put the game in doubt it was credit to the hard work of the club in recent months that ensured that the pitch was playable. Another sizeable crowd was rewarded with some excellent goals.

After an early period where both defences dominated Carmarthen town took the lead in the 23' when Richard Parker had a determined run down the right wing, despite the close attention of Clive Brown, to put Ryan Nicholls clear. Nicholls' shot gave the keeper no chance. Within 2 minutes Parker was again in the thick of the action when, having a run into the box, he laid the ball back for Dean Rossiter to blast the ball home from 18 yards.

Bangor had a few forages into the Carmarthen Town area and Clayton Blackmore had a good chance but struck the ball well over the bar. Bangor was reduced to ten men just after the half-hour when Clive Brown was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Bangor's 10 men fought back resolutely and Fitzgerald in the Town goal did well to save from Aled Rowland as Bangor enjoyed a good spell just before half time. However, when Paul Roberts fouled Parker in the box on 43' Ryan Nicholls buried the penalty to give Town a comfortable lead at the break.

The second half saw Town on the defence in the early stages. However they soon regained control and when Shaun Chapple's powerful strike flew past the post and Rossiter shooting straight at Williams when well placed Bangor found themselves on the defence as Town's mid-field took control of the game.

Just after the hour Paul Roberts missed a good chance to get on the score-sheet for the visitors. Just after the hour Parker once again had a hand in the creation of Town's fourth goal when his pass to Brace was volleyed past Williams on 67' minutes to put the game beyond any doubt.

Town were well in control but all credit to Bangor they did not give up. Rhodri Giggs who looked sharp and had some good touches. Late in the game he had a good opportunity for the visitors but shot wide. In the dying moments of the game Williams in the Bangor goal came to his side's rescue once again with a superb diving save from Craig Evans.

Today's win gave Town their first League points against Bangor at Richmond Park.

Carmarthen Town : Fitzgerald, Paul Walker, D. Brace, G. Rees, N. O'Brien, D. Barnhouse, C. Evans, D. Rossiter, R. Nicholls, S. Chapple, R. Parker. Subs : Siôn Meredith (Parker), D. McPhee (Rossiter), S. Williams (Walker).

Bangor City : Williams, Cooper, Cross, Brown, E. Williams, S. Williams, Rowlands, Blackmore, Roberts, Giggs, Comley-Excell. Subs : Hazelden, Lamkin, Jardine.

Referee : Mark Whitby

Crowd 464

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CAERLEON 0 CARMARTHEN TOWN 4

From the outset Carmarthen Town dominated proceedings and as early as the fourth minute Dean Rossiter had a good chance, but his weak shot was saved by keeper Fitzroy Hutchinson.

Caerleon's best player Simon Truman was very lively. He had an excellent early run into the penalty area but his shot went just over the bar on about 10'.

Continuous pressure by Carmarthen Town finally paid dividends in the 16th. minute when Fitzgerald's long clearance eluded the Caerleon defence and Ryan Nicholls picked up the loose ball to fire a superb shot past Hutchinson to give Town the comfort of an early lead.

Whilst Simon Truman was influential for Caerleon Carmarthen Town were well in control. On 42' a good cross into the box from a long ball up-field saw O'Brian head down for Rossiter to drive home from 12 yards to make it 2-0 at the break.

The second half saw the home side show more determination and the Carmarthen goal came under some pressure but Town's back line ensured that Fitzgerald was rarely troubled.

After regaining the initiative Town increased the lead in the 64th. minute when Parker, Craig Evans and Nicholls combined effectively for Evans to drive past Hutchinson.

The heads of the home side went down when the lead was further increased in the 68th. minute when Deryn Brace, who had seen his earlier effort glance off the crossbar, volleyed home from a Craig Evan pass to put the game beyond doubt.

Late in the game Hutchinson in the Caerleon goal ensured that the scoreline remained respectable with some excellent saves from two good efforts by Craig Evans and Wayne Jones. A comfortable win at Cold Bath Road sees Town safely into the next round of the cup for an away fixture at Rhayader Town.

Caerleon : F. Hutchinson, m. Wadden, J. Laister, B. Dowd, S. James, C. Perry, C. Goliffe, C. Evans, A. Stewart, S. Truman, M. Tucker. Subs : K. Witcombe, R. Andrews, R. Surtees.

Carmarthen Town : Fitzgerald, G. Rees, D. Brace, W. Thomas, N. O'Brien, D. Barnhouse, C. Evans, D. Rossiter, R. Nicholls, S. Chapple, R. Parker. Subs : W. Jones (Rees), D. McPhee (Rossiter), S. Williams (Nicholls).

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ROBIN'S REVIEW

Tuesday, October 3, 2000

FAW Premier Cup - Group A

CARMARTHEN TOWN 0 WREXHAM 1

The Reds give another professional display in their televised match with Carmarthen Town at Richmond Park. About a 1,000 supporters braved the wind and rain to watch both sides put up a spirited display of football in very poor conditions.

Local officials had been hoping for a crowd of 1,500 - 2,000 and, no doubt, would have realised that figure on a better night. But those that did show up seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves, in this close fought encounter.

The home side gained a corner in the opening minute and it needed a clearing header to avert the danger, before the Reds (or whites on the night) were soon up field and forcing a flag kick themselves. Darren Ferguson's cross was caught by the wind and curled back over the crossbar!

On 13 minutes a dangerous run down the right wing by Paul Walker saw his cross met by Ryan Nicholls, but the free scoring forward was unable to control his effort and the ball flew wide of the target.

Walker then showed how to get on the end of a cross, when a square ball presented him with the opportunity on 18 minutes. From outside the area his rasping drive was only just the wrong side of the far upright.

The Reds were enjoying the greater percentage of possession and on 27 minutes it finally told. A ball down the left wing channel from Emad gave Paul Barrett space and he won a corner. As the cross was played into Fergie, Craig Faulconbridge, standing in front of goalkeeper Robert Fitzgerald, diverted the midfielder's shot into the net.

There was no doubt that Craig deliberately struck the ball and it ended a six week spell since his last goal for the club.

A minute later and the score might well have been doubled. As two Fergie corners led to confusion in the home ranks and the ball twice being cleared off the line, although the strong wind was also a contributing factor.

On 41 minutes, it was Ferguson's corner and then cross from the rebound, which set up Dave Ridler at the back post, but the centre- half watched on as his volley sailed over the cross bar from out 10 yards out.

Within 60 seconds of the restart, Carmarthen worked a neat passing move that gave Nicholls a shot from some distance out. The bar arrowed to Dearden's right hand and struck the bottom of the post before deflecting out again. From the far end of the pitch, it looked as if Kevin did get a touch to the ball.

Wrexham responded from this near miss, with Chris Killen winning his personal battle out wide to cross for Barrett to curl a shot inches over the cross bar.

A 57th minute free kick on the edge of the visitors' box saw Sion Meredith forced a fine save from Dearden.

The Reds then lifted the pace and series of chances fell for Killen, Faulconbridge and McGregor. None were successful, but it pinned Carmarthen back in their own half for a period of time.

A clever free kick on 76 minutes saw Fergie find Faulconbridge and his lay off set up substitute Gareth Owen for a shot that flew close to the far post.

With the rain and wind coming in even harder in the closing moments, Carmarthen broke quickly up field and Owen received a 'good' yellow card for stopping the home side on the half way line.

The Reds will be happy with the win, the points and the prize money, while Carmarthen won many friends with their style of play. Manager Tomi Morgan should be looking for his team to go at least one better this season having missed out on European football by just on place in 1999/2000 and they could also be in the running for the title come next May.

Man of the Match was announced as local goalkeeper Robert Fitzgerald. Only 21 years of age, this is the second time I have seen him live and he has impressed on both occasions.

Carmarthen Town: Robert Fitzgerald, Gavin Rees, Wayne Jones, Wyn Thomas, Neil O'Brien, David Barnhouse, Paul Walker, Dean Rossiter (Richard Parker 73), Ryan Nicholls, Sion Meredith (Stephen Williams 87), Craig Evans (Cerison Davies 79). Subs: Stephen Evans, Tomi Morgan.

Wrexham: Kevin Dearden, Mark McGregor, Emad Bouanane, Dave Ridler, Adrian Moody, Darren Ferguson, Paul Barrett (Gareth Owen 61), Martyn Chalk, Carlos Edwards, Craig Faulconbridge, Chris Killen. Subs: Paul Whitfield, Dave Warren, Robin Gibson, Andy Morrell.

Referee: D.C.Richards

Attendance: 998

Away Support: 75 (and good to see so many make their own way to west Wales)

Bookings: Carmarthen - Rees (55 foul), Jones (76 foul).Wrexham - Chalk (69 foul), Owen (89 foul).

Acknowledgements to GARETH ROBINS REVIEW 04/09/00

http://www.egroups.com/community/robinsreview

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ABERYSTWYTH TOWN 2 CARMARTHEN TOWN 2

Town came from behind twice to earn an excellent point at Aberystwyth in what was a very tight and at times highly charged derby game.

Town applied the early pressure with Dean Rossiter going very close after only 4 minutes. A couple of minutes later Parker found himself clear but Matthews made a good save. From an Aberystwyth break up field an excellent log ball across the goalmouth was adjudged to have been handled by Barnhouse as he got up to challenge the Aber forwards for the ball. Gavin Allen put the ball in the back of the net from the spot on 13' to give Aber an early lead.

As they did last week against TNS Town responded immediately. Carmarthen picked up an Aberystwyth sliced clearance / across field ball and Parker saw his shot well saved by the keeper. The ball fell to Deryn Brace who also had his shot cleared off the line but finally Ryan Nicholls put it in the back of the net to equalise for Town.

Both teams played some good football at times. Aberystwyth making good use of cross-field balls that enabled Glyndwr and Steve Mardenborough to get behind the Town defence. Carmarthen tended to go through the middle with Chapple, Rossiter and Craig Evans working well to release Ryan Nicholls and Parker up front and Brace and Walker out wide. Following a good move by Aberystwyth, debutant Carmarthen keeper Richard Williams (ex Aberystwyth) made an excellent save from Gavin O'Tool on 23'.

Aberystwyth were back in front in the final minute of the half. A second and debatable penalty was awarded for a foul by Dean Rossiter on Gavin Allen inside the box. Allen once again made no mistake from the spot. Finley and Gari Lewis were both booked for Aberystwyth.

Following the break Tomi brought on Wayne Jones for Gavin Rees who had suffered a knock and Dylan McPhee came on for Shaun Chapple who had suffered a horrendous challenge just before half time.

Aberystwyth then put Town under the cosh for 15-20 minutes. They came close on several occasions with Glyndwr Hughes and Steve Mardenborough looking very dangerous. Paul Evans had a good game and held the ball up well and Gavin O'Tool was impressive. The tackling was uncompromising. Referee Paul Thomas picked up on small niggly incidents and seemed not to see the dangerous stuff and the one or two off the ball incidents.

Having soaked up the pressure Carmarthen came back into the game. Steve Williams came on for Walker and the game was end to end stuff. Town looking for the equaliser and Aber needing another goal to make the three points safe. The equaliser came in the 67 minute when Wayne Jones had a good run down the left and put in an excellent cross for the unmarked Dylan McPhee to volley home. Tempers got a little fraught and there were several altercations that saw Phillpot being booked on 69'. For Town Parker was booked on 72' and McPhee was booked for a tackle from behind on 75'.

Neither side wanted to settle for a draw and both teams continued to look for the winner. Richard Morgan who had made a couple of excellent saves in the first half made a superb save from Steve Mardenborough in the 78 minute. Mardenborough also saw his speculative shot glance the top of the bar in the 88 minute. Town also had several chances as they pressed forward with Ryan Nicholls and Deryn Brace causing Aberystwyth problems down the right. In the end following an exciting and at times frantic second half both sides had to settle for a point.

For Town Aberystwyth are always a difficult side to beat. Tomi will be pleased to have secured the first ever point for Carmarthen at Park Avenue to keep Town three points clear of Aber in the table. On a difficult night both sides had opportunities to take the three points but a draw was a fair reflection of the game.

A sizeable Town following contributed to excellent crowd of 912.

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CARMARTHEN 4 TNS 3

In a thrilling encounter at Richmond Park. Carmarthen finally overcame a resilient TNS side to clinch the points to keep them in second place.

The excellent crowd of 424 was treated to a feast of goals, none better than Craig Evans' diving header in the 80th. minute to win the game for Town.

Following an evenly balanced initial period it was Town that was presented with the first good chance when Richard Parker finding himself clear in the box shot straight at the TNS keeper Paul Smith.

At the other end when the Carmarthen defence lost possession John Toner nearly capitalised on the situation but his header narrowly went past the post with keeper Fitzgerald well beaten.

The visitors broke the deadlock on 27 minutes. Following Carmarthen pressure on the TNS goal an appeal for hand ball was rejected by referee Neil Morgan and TNS cleared up-field. Tim Alexander picked up the lose ball unleashed a cracking shot from 30 yards to find the top corner of the net giving Fitzgerald no chance on 27'.

Town responded superbly and within the minute had redressed the balance. Dean Rositer broke up field beating the TNS defence and found Parker on the edge of the penalty area. Parker atoned for his earlier misses by forcing the ball home to equalise.

Town kept up the pressure and on the half-hour referee Neil Morgan adjudged a TNS defender to have handled in the area. Ryan Nicholls converted from the spot to make it 2-1at the break.

Both sides were playing 'top draw' football. The first half was clearly the best period of football seen at Richmond this season. Lee Coathup and Alexander were both having excellent games for the champions and Shaun Chapple and Dean Rossiter were outstanding for Town.

The second half continued at the same pace. Within two minutes of the restart Garry Powell outwitted the Carmarthen defence to drive home from close range to equalise for the visitors.

Parker once again put Town ahead with an excellently taken volley from a Dean Rossiter cross. The excitement continued with the Champions pressing hard and taking the game to Town. They were rewarded on 61' when substitute Maurice Doyle fired home from 15 yards, beyond Fitzgerald's reach.

Following the goal Deryn Brace was brought on to replace Wayne Jones at left back. He immediately linked well with Nicholls and Evans down the left side to cause TNS problems and keeper Smith was forced to produce two superb saves from Rossiter and Craig Evans.

Play was end to end with both sides looking for the three points. The winner and highlight of the game came with Chapple and Brace combined to take a short free kick out on the left touchline. Brace's precise cross was superbly headed home on the dive by Craig Evans from 12 yards to give Town the lead once again.

TNS continued to press for the equaliser. Town kept their heads and retained possession well though Fitzgerald was forced to tip a difficult ball over the bar from Alexander in the dying moments of the game.

On a glorious afternoon with the pitch in excellent condition we could not have wished for a better more exciting game of football played by two excellent sides. Town's manager Tomi Morgan will be very pleased with the way his team withstood the test of an excellent TNS side ahead of an important period of Welsh Cup and Premier Cup games, not to mention a league encounter with near neighbours Aberystwyth Town next Friday evening.

Alexander, Coathup, Doyle and Edwards were booked for TNS. Chapple for Carmarthen.

Town: Fitzgerald, Walker, Jones, Rees, O'Brien, Barnhouse, Evans, Rossiter, Nicholls, Chapple, Parker. Subs : Brace (Jones 61) Williams, McPhee (Parker 86').

TNS : Smith, Parry, Coalthup, Holmes, Edwards, Alexander, Roberts, Webster, Toner, Welton, Powell. Subs : Wilson (Webster 82'), Maloney (Holmes), Doyle (Roberts 12').

Referee : Neil Morgan

Crowd 426

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