With Carmarthen Town manager Andrew York targeting this game against fellow strugglers Welshpool Town as a possible ‘six pointer’ it was a huge disappointment that Town failed to build on their recent improved form to secure the three, much needed, points.

Despite being reduced to ten men just before the break Town created enough chances to have taken something out of the game in their effort to distance themselves from the League’ bottom placings.

“Yes it was a bitterly disappointing result, especially as we had shown some improving form of late.

“We created enough chances but having been reduced to ten men it was always going to be difficult though I thought that we played better in the second half.

“Its important that we do not let our heads drop. It’s a long season and we do have time to rectify things”.

In disjointed opening quarter with both sides crowding the midfield there was little flowing football on show and chances were few and far between.

An early strong run by Welshpool’s Steve Rogers’ broke Town’s defensive line but his shot went narrowly wide whilst at the other end Nick Burke came close with a header for Carmarthen.

On the quarter hour Town had a narrow escape when Siôn Meredith was put through and having rounded the keeper saw his shot cleared off the line by player manager York.

Meredith and Rogers continuing to probe the Town defence and the hosts suffered a major setback when captain Dean Rossiter was dismissed on 38 minutes for a second bookable offence

Then on the stroke of half time Town’s misery deepened. Lee Pratt conceded a free kick on the edge of the box and Rogers capitalised with a superbly taken set piece to give the visitors a 1-0 half time lead.

Reduced to ten men RSU sponsored Carmarthen Town seemed to have the better of the play in the second period. David Moss saw his header fly narrowly over and a well-struck volley tipped round the post by keeper Scott Brown who was to deny Moss several good opportunities throughout the afternoon.

With Town pushing up in search of the equaliser former Town player Meredith exploited space at the back to put Craig Wilkinson clear but the defenders fierce strike was tipped onto the bar by Tony Pennock in the home goal.

Just after the hour the visitors added a second goal in controversial circumstances. A cross into the box saw Pennock uncharacteristically spill the ball and in the ensuing goalmouth melee the ball found the back of the net off Meredith’s arm with both referee and assistant referee unsighted.

Then with ten minutes remaining sustained Town pressure saw Brown secure his teams advantage as he turned a superb strike from Burke round the post and moments later parried Moss’s powerful header to safety.

Town will now look to Wednesday evening’s (26.11.03) Loosemores of Cardiff Challenge Cup Quarter final tie against Port Talbot Town to regroup and restore some self-confidence. Town hold a one-goal advantage from the first leg with a semi-final place the prize for the winner. KO 7.30 pm.

Carmarthen Town: Pennock, De Vulgt, Pratt, Barnhouse, York (Reid 67’), Moss, Thomas, Rossiter, Burke, Price (Davies 74’), Keaveny.

29.11.03
TNS 4 Carmarthen Town 0

In a week of mixed fortunes Town took a well-deserved 2-0 win over Port Talbot Town in the Loosemore’s Challenge Cup in midweek but having had much the best of the opening period against TNS at the weekend Town conceded three goals in a six minute period early in the second period that saw the Mid-Walians regain their position at the top of the Welsh Premier league.

Despite their differing league positions there was little to choose between the two sides in the opening period as Town played the ball along the floor with some success to counter the effects of a strong wind.

Town’s first real chance came on 18 minutes when Keaveny was brought down on the edge of the box and Paul Reid’s well-struck free kick went inches wide of the post.

On 24 minutes TNS’ Chris King found top scorer Jamie Wood out on the right but Town keeper Tony Pennock turned his shot round the post.

Moments later Pennock was again in action as he was forced to save from Steven Beck at point blank range with Town’s back line appealing the offside.

Town settled and established a positive and effective game plan. With young Owen Thomas impressing in mid-field RSU sponsored Carmarthen Town produced constructive and cohesive football to keep the Llansantffraid full timers on the back foot for most of the half. Apart from a Martyn Naylor free kick from the edge of the box Pennock was rarely troubled in the visitors goal.

Following the break TNS exerted their first sustained period of pressure and seven minutes into the half capitalised on a defensive error when King’s cross into the box was chested down by Reid and Wood picked up on the loose ball between defender and keeper to put the hosts ahead.

Having broken the deadlock TNS continued to press and King was once again the provider as Beck took advantage of an uncleared cross to extend TNS’ lead on 55 minutes.

The outcome of the game was effectively sealed a couple of minutes later as Pennock, having saved from point blank range, saw Michael Wilde’s mistimed overhead kick headed in by Michael Wood to make it 3-0.

Three goals in arrears Carmarthen battled bravely to reduce the deficit but were unable to make an impression on the scoreline.

Then with two minutes remaining Town conceded possession from a free kick and Wood went through the middle unchallenged to take his second of the game and provide his side with a somewhat flattering advantage.

Manager Andrew York was bitterly disappointed that his side had conceded three goals in such a devastating fashion but he also took some positives from the last two games:

“We conceded from silly mistakes when we should have simply just cleared the ball. We have to concentrate on the basics”.

“I thought we did a great job in the first half. We looked the better side and when we didn’t have the ball we got into the right areas, picked up a lot of second ball and played some great football.

“We’ve booked a semi-final place in the Challenge Cup and that gives us a boost. I was pleased with the youngsters on Wednesday. Karl Carter made his first senior start against Port Talbot and the way Owen Thomas bossed the mid field on Saturday I thought was impressive. ”

Carmarthen: Pennock, De Vulgt, Pratt, Barnhouse, York (Jones81’), Moss, Thomas, Rossiter, Keaveny (Carter 81’), Price, Reid (Davies 81’).