03.11.04 Cwmbran Town 1 Carmarthen Town 1

In mid week Town won through to the semi final stage of the Loosemore's League Cup drawing a tie against CPD Porthmadog.

Luke Hardy scored direct from a corner on the quarter hour with Paul Coughlin levelling for the Crows, heading home Richard Hurlin's free kick on 36 minutes.

In the second period Rhys Griffiths had a goal disallowed and with no further addition to the score sheet Town progressed courtesy of a 4-3 aggregate.

Town have been drawn against Porthmadog in the semi final. The first leg (home) to be played on the Tue 15th. February 2005 and the away leg on the 1st of March 2005.

Cwmbran Town Wesson, Green (Hanbury 74'), K.James, Perry, Coughlin, Fowler, Mohamed (Plant 90'), Thomas, Welsh, Diamond (Wickham 85'), Hurlin.

Carmarthen Town Pennock, Hardy, Smothers, Giles, Carter, Jones, Kennedy, Dodds, Griffiths, Lima (Lloyd 68'), Cotterrall. Subs not used: Davies, Burke.

Attendance: 175 Referee: D C Richards Carmarthen Town win 4-3 on aggregate

06.11.04 Gresford Athletic 2 Carmarthen Town 2 (AET)

(Carmarthen won 4-1 on penalties)

With Gresford Town languishing in the lower reaches of the Cymru Alliance and EMC Services sponsored Carmarthen Town having made an excellent start to their Welsh Premier season Town's third round Welsh Cup assignment did not look too onerous - in theory that is.

As so often happens in cup competitions the formbook can be discarded and with the Welsh Cup working its magic once again Town encountered a battling and spirited performance from the hosts and a keeper who's fine form was very difficult to break down.

With Gresford holding Town both at full time and after extra time Mark Jones' team were looking down the barrel of a penalty shootout and the ignominy of an early cup exit. But as Gary Lloyd buried his rocket of an ‘opener' and with keeper Tony Pennock turning away Phil Jones' first attempt for Gresford, Town grew in confidence and the nerves began to settle.

Nathan Cotteral and Rhys Griffiths both converted their spot kicks with Jon Ratcliffe replying for the hosts. Then with Pennock making another excellent stop to deny Shaun Williams it remained for Chris Summers to slot away Town's fourth to ensure progression into the evening's fourth round draw.

In the end it had been a very close call for the Richmond Park outfit as manager Mark Jones readily acknowledged:

“We were not sharp enough in front of goal. It seemed as if we were in second gear. “We just didn't up the pace enough and their keeper had a great game.

“In the end Tony did us proud with two good stops in the shootout and I don't think I've seen a better penalty than Gary's . “We've not been at our best this week but we have progress in two cup competitions and that cannot be bad".

Town stated confidently with efforts from Mark Dodds and Chris Summers being denied as Gresford's custodian and captain Gareth Rowland's form confirmed that he was sure to have an influence on the game's outcome.

Following another Summers effort that went narrowly over Gresford showed that they also had a sharp edged attack as Phil Jones and Simon Holloway combined well down the left.

Indeed it was this pairing that fashioned Gresford's opening goal on 24 minutes. Jones put the ball over Lloyd's head and behind Town's defence for Holloway to come in at the opposite angle to shoot past Pennock and give the hosts an unexpected lead.

Town came back strongly. Luke Hardy was fouled out wide on the right and Lloyd's measured free kick found Martyn Giles at the back post who nodded the ball home to level the score three minutes later.

Town regained the initiative but with Jones bustling and busy runs ensuring that Town's back line could not relax their guard for a moment and with Town tending to over elaborate in the final quarter it remained all square at the break.

The second period saw Town again dominate proceedings but Rowland's fine form created a brick wall to rebuff Town's strike force and although they adjusted their formation to push further forward half way through the winner remained illusive with the hosts' tenacity forcing the game into extra time.

Town again dominated the opening period. When substitute Rhys Griffiths stabbed home Lloyd's free kick that had been headed down by Giles it looked as if Town had got the breakthrough they deserved after eight minutes.

Exploiting hesitancy in Town's defence the hosts struck back immediately. Rowland's clearance bounced over the Town back line and with Pennock forced to punch clear the ball fell to Ratcliffe who fired home within the minute to keep the tie on a knife-edge.

In the fast fading light Pennock turned away Mike Gronnow's header and with strikes from Cotterall, Jones, Griffiths and Summers all being denied in the final minutes Town were condemned to the lottery of a penalty shootout.

Much to the delight and relief of the players, fans and management Town won through to book a home tie against Cwmbran Town in the fourth round of the competition. The tie is to be played on Saturday 5 th . February 2004.

13.11.04 Carmarthen Town 3 Airbus UK 0

In a low-key affair Town coasted to a 3-0 win over Airbus UK at Richmond Park last Saturday. Although the ‘Planemakers' never gave up Town notched their eighth win from ten League outings as Chris Summers grabbed a brace, one in each half, and Nathan Cotteral capped a busy afternoon with a fine individual effort by striking home Town's third with the game into time added on.

Manager Mark Jones was pleased that his squad had come through the game unscathed.

“I'm pleased. Games like these can be very costly in several ways but we took all three points, kept a clean sheet and we came out of the game without any bookings or injuries'.

In somewhat of a disjointed start Chris Summers served notice on the Airbus keeper Paul Whitfield when he forced the former Wrexham custodian into early action.

Nathan Cotterall taunted the visiting defence with his individual runs and when Mark Dodds also began to run at the opposition defensive frailties began to appear in the visitors back line.

Town opened their account mid way through the half. A strong run from Cotterall down the right exposed the Airbus defence and his low cross behind the defence found Summers who added the simplest of touches to give Town the lead they had threatened on 25 minutes.

On the half hour Town should have added to their tally. Richard Kennedy was put clear into space and only an excellent save from Whitfield saved the visitors from further deficit.

Just before half time Gary Lloyd came agonisingly close with a couple of powerful strikes but it remained a one goal advantage to the hosts at the break.

Airbus started the second period with far more purpose but when Rhodri Jones just failed to convert a Lloyd free kick with a glancing header ten minutes into the half the tide once again turned in favour of the hosts.

Airbus were finding it difficult to contain Dodds' surging runs and when he rounded the visiting defensive line-up on 56 minutes his squared ball was hit home by Summers to make it a two goal advantage for the hosts.

With Kennedy's pin point distribution putting his forward line into space and Cotterall now finding his way through the visiting defence at will over elaboration in front of goal and an absence of some clinical finishing by Town saw Airbus survive the relentless pressure on their goal.

Dave Nottage for the visitors was seemingly everywhere and with Whitfield in fine form the young keeper pulled off a superb double save to deny first Dodds and then Jones to further frustrate the Town attack.

Airbus never gave up and Stuart Mcintosh had an effort cleared off the line by Lloyd in the last minute of normal time before the ever present Cotterall broke once again and ran the length of the field to cap a busy afternoon and a fine individual effort by striking home Town's deserved third goal.

With all the top teams all winning at the weekend there is little change in the table and with Town in League action once again on Tuesday evening visitors Afan Lido are sure to pose a far sterner test for the Richmond Park outfit.

Carmarthen Town Pennock, Hardy, Lloyd, Giles,R.Carter, Jones, Dodds (K.Carter 88'), Kennedy, Lima (Smothers 72'), Summers (Griffiths 69'), Cotterrall. Subs not used: Burke, James.

Airbus UK Whitfield, Hopkins, Smart, McKean, Davies, Dean (Farrell 61'), McElmeel (Hughes 46'), Peers, Nottage, McIntosh, Desormeaux (Jones 69').

Attendance: 331 Referee: S Jones

16.11.04 Carmarthen Town 1 Afan Lido 1

Having played a gruelling three games in seven days Carmarthen Town manager, Mark Jones was generally pleased with the outcome of his week's work.

“We set out to get the full nine points. Yes I was a little disappointed that we didn't get a full quota against Lido but they came to do a job on us and they succeeded.

“We must expect that. As one of the top teams we need to stand up more to that type of challenge. The important thing is that we learn from the experience”, he added.

“It's not the end of the world by any means. Caersws and Rhyl have three points over us but we have two games in hand.

“Against Llanelli we missed a number of chances but it was still a very comfortable win. I think they'll get stronger under the new manager.

“We made several changes and I was pleased with Kevin Evans' debut. I thought he fitted in well. We can certainly expect a tough game next week with the visit of Welshpool Town.

On Tuesday evening Town struggled at times to contain Afan Lido's lively first half performance. Town had an early escape when Liam McCreesh somehow scooped the ball over the bar with the net at his mercy.

But Lido did capitalise on their possession in the 24th. minute. Shaun O'Leary, Kevin Bartley and Chris Pridham broke from midfield and Bartley's effort from the right found the net, having taken a deflection, to give the visitors a deserved lead.

Twelve minutes later EMC sponsored Town hit back. Craig Lima flicked on Pennock's long clearance and Nathan Cotteral out wide squared the ball for Chris Summers to knock in the equaliser on 36 minutes.

Played at high tempo the game was end to end and McCreesh should have added a second when Lido charged down a clearance and the No7 hit the ball across goal and narrowly wide of the upright.

The second half never lived up to the first. Carl Evans cleared everything from the back for the visitors as Town went down the middle rather than use the flanks. With Lido winning all the 50/50 balls Town found it hard to be creative.

Leigh Shrimpton put in some important tackles for the visitors and Rhodri Jones was influential for Town but there was no addition to the score - which, on balance, was a fair reflection of the game.

Carmarthen Town Pennock, Hardy, Lloyd, Giles, Carter, Jones, Dodds, Kennedy (Burke 72'), Lima, Summers, Cotterrall. Subs not used: Smothers, Chiverton

Afan Lido FC Thomas, Shrimpton, Hurley, Walters, Evans, Rickard, McCreesh (Piper 83'), Pridham, Bartley, O'Leary, Reynolds. Subs not used: Reid, Taylor

Attendance: 352 Referee: N L Morgan

19.11.04 Llanelli 0 Carmarthen Town 3

Town's third game of the week at Stebonheath, Llanelli on Friday evening looked a comfortable proposition given their differing positions at opposite ends of the League table.

With Town captain Jones and striker Lima sidelined through injury new signing Kevin Aherne-Evans slotted into mid-field and Eston Chiverton returned to the heart of the defence with Martin Giles moving into midfield. Dodds partnered Summers up front.

But despite dominating it took Town almost half an hour to open their account when Cotterall broke from mid-field and fired past Reds' custodian Huw Liddell to give the visitors a deserved lead.

Giles ran strongly in midfield to pressurise the ‘Red's' defence and with Summers heading Gary Lloyd's corner agonisingly wide Liddell had little respite. Having spilled a powerful free kick from Lloyd the keeper finally made it safe with Town somehow finding it difficult to get that vital final touch.

Following the break Liddell denied Cotterall again early-on after Kennedy and Summers had set up the wing man. But the vital ‘second' wasn't long in coming.

Debutante Evans flicked on Pennock's clearance and with Summers striking well under pressure Town finally extended the lead just before the hour.

They should have gone further ahead shortly after but the busy Liddell produced a fine double save when he punch clear a cross and then denied Cottrell's shot with his legs.

With Town well in control manager Jones introduced Neil Smothers and Nick Burke and whilst Town rearranged Llanelli had their best period of the game. But the flickering light of recovery didn't last long as Town settled and took control once again.

With five minutes remaining a diagonal ball to the back post saw Giles beat Liddell for the high ball and ‘new boy' Evans made it three with the simplest of touches to keep Town in amongst the top four with two games in hand.

Llanelli AFC Liddell, Bowden, Crabbe, M.Jones, Turner (Williams 44'), Connor, Wright (D.Jones 20'), Thomas, Shannon, R.Jones (Randle 55'), Hislop.

Carmarthen Town Pennock, Hardy (Smothers 68'), Lloyd, Carter, Chiverton, Giles, Kennedy (Burke 62'), Aherne-Evans, Summers (James 85'), Dodds, Cotterrall.

Attendance: 268 Referee: R J Ellingham

27.11.04 Carmarthen Town 1 Welshpool Town 1

The return of former Town manager Tomi Morgan to Richmond last Saturday saw his strong Welshpool Town outfit battle for a deserved share of the points after an ‘all action' display by both sides.

With the outcome of this pulsating game remaining in the balance throughout Morgan was clearly the most satisfied of the two managers.

“ If you had offered me a point before the game I would have taken it”, he said, “but looking back I'm a little disappointed, as we could so easily have taken all three”.

Mark Jones on the other hand was disappointed, as he felt that Town had not really performed.

“The most disappointing performance of the season. The lads did react to the half time talk and we got the equaliser but the defence was kept busy all afternoon. Welshpool are a good side and they could quite easily have won.

“It was a good game and Richard Carter did well for us when he went to right back so I have to be satisfied with a point.

Welshpool almost had a dream start with Aden Shannon and Steve Rogers combining well, forcing Eston Chiverton to clear off his own line in the first minute.

At the other end a Gary Lloyd free kick was headed on to the bar by Mark Dodds but with barely ten minutes on the clock with Town struggling to contain a Welshpool attack Lloyd's clearing header fell to Gary Roberts who's speculative volley from outside the area hit the corner of the bar and over to safety.

Following Welshpool's whirlwind opening quarter the game began to settle and Town started to build some momentum. With better distribution and retention they began to pressure the visiting defence and Lloyd's set pieces, in particular, troubled the Welshpool back line.

Welshpool's physical forwards made good use of the ball. Roberts, in particular, looked threatening down the left and poor defending by both sides ensured plenty of excitement.

As Town pressed forward Kevin Evans, Chris Summers and Dodds began to find their way through the Lilywhites back line.

But with Roberts, Shannon and Ricky Evans, who orchestrated much of the visitors' attack, ruthlessly exposing Town's right flank. The hosts were forced to readjust to counter the threat bringing on Richard Kennedy into midfield with Carter moving out to right back.

On the stroke of half time the Lilywhites' first-half endeavour was rewarded with a goal. Evans found Rogers out on the right. Pennock parried the angular shot but Town had difficulty in clearing and Shannon stole in to strike home the loose ball giving the visitors a timely lead.

Second half and a second chance and Town started in determined mood with Summers forcing the best from visiting keeper Grant Dawson as Town's offensive gathered momentum.

Ten minutes into the half EMC Services sponsored Carmarthen Town were rewarded. A Lloyd throw in was flicked on by Cotteral and with Rhodri Jones releasing a perfectly timed pass into the path of new signing Kevin Aherne-Evans, the mid-fielder drilled in a low ball to net Town's equaliser.

Town continued to dominate. Uncompromising defensive play by the visitors succeeded in frustrating Town's attack and a lack of quality finishing from the home side saw Town unable to capitalise on their dominance.

Cotterall influence began to have an effect. Dawson was forced to tip his excellent shot come cross to safety and a well drilled low cross from the wing man was also saved at the base of the post as Summers' turned and shot from close in.

Welshpool continued to threaten on the break. Substitute Christian Courtney's direct running caused Town's defence a number of problems including a heart stopping effort that glanced off the post with twelve minutes remaining. But Giles proved a keystone in the heart of the home defence making several important interceptions and blocks to deny the Lilywhites' breakaway.

With the final whistle bringing an exciting game to its close honours were shared but with similar results elsewhere there was little change in the table.

Carmarthen Town Pennock, Hardy (Kennedy 35'), Lloyd, Carter, Chiverton, Jones, Ahearne-Evans (Burke 76'), Giles, Dodds (Lima 71'), Summers, Cotterrall.

Welshpool Town Dawson, Windsor, Dowridge, Jackson, Norman, Shannon (Courtney 75'), M.Roberts, Rogers, Jefferies, R.Evans, G.Roberts. Subs not used: G.Evans, J.Coulson, T.Coulson.

Attendance: 272 Referee: K L Parry