25.10.08 Carmarthen Town 1 Airbus UK Broughton 0

Without a full quota of points in four League outings Town got back to winning ways with a performance that was epitomised more by hard work than by skill with an eleventh minute strike from Stuart Roberts the difference between the sides.

Having struggled lately to turn performance into points Town changed tactics somewhat with a more direct approach the order from the dugout.

Town coach Mark Aizlewood reflected on Town's change of tactics. "We decided that whilst we have been playing some attractive, fluid, passing football it hasn't been turned into points on the board. Today we went back to basics and went route one and organised the team accordingly".

"The game plan was to get the ball into the final third and hopefully the little bit of quality that we have in the team would tell. I think that proved to be the case as we saw with the goal. The most pleasing thing from my point of view was that we kept a clean sheet".

"Yes they put us under a little bit of pressure second half but it didn't result in strikes on our goal. I think our keeper only had one save to make the whole match. They didn't have a shot on target first half. I thought our back five were excellent".

Of the opposition Aizlewood said: "They were a workman like side. I think they were probably the best organised and disciplined Airbus team we've played against for a while. They were a reasonable outfit, I thought the left back No3 (Felicello) was a good player. What you mustn't forget is that had they beaten us today they would have gone above us in the table".

In the deteriorating weather conditions both sides took the direct option with the ball spending considerable time aloft. Nicky Palmer's welcome return to Town line-up provided fresh impetus and momentum as Town kept probing the Wingmakers' defence.

What proved to be the best move of the game resulted in the only goal of the game. Tim Hicks' persistence enabled Palmer to win the ball before Paul Fowler's clever ball from the edge of the Airbus box released Roberts who fired low past Airbus keeper Paul Palethorpe's right.

Ten minutes later Lee Hudgell, who was partnering Hicks up-front, broke through having picked up on Matthew Cook's stray pass but was denied by Palethorpe as Town harried constantly, not allowing the visitors settle.

Airbus came more into contention as half time approached but Palethorpe again did well to win a one-on-one with Hudgell and keep his side in contention at the break.

The second period saw Airbus apply considerable pressure forcing Town to defend a number of corners and free kicks. Danny Desmoreaux in mid field became influential for the visitors and Mark Calwallader on the flank worked hard to unlock the Town defence. But without creating any clear cut chances Airbus failed to break Town's defensive resolve to keep a clean sheet.

Just after the hour Town looked to have secured a second as Neil Smothers headed in a Sacha Walters corner but the Assistant’s flag said otherwise. Danny Thomas, who was making a comeback from injury, replaced Hicks and with Hudgell moving out to the flank Roberts joined Thomas up front.

Shortly after a double substitution for Airbus saw the experienced Phil Molyneux try to weave a way through but with Thomas in the Town goal largely redundant Palethorpe again did well as he was forced to deny Roberts and Thomas in the closing quarter.

Despite conceding a couple of late corners Town saw out the narrow win that will restore confidence ahead of Saturday’s Welsh Cup encounter and keep them in contention with the League’s leading pack.

Disappointed Airbus Assistant manager Andy Thomas felt the visitors should have had something from the game. "We passed the ball a lot better in the second half. We kept the ball down and played with a good tempo. I think we deserved at least a point. It was difficult playing against a team that played a long ball into the box".

Town: N Thomas, Hughes, Hudgell, Palmer, Smothers, Dodds, Roberts, Hicks (D Thomas 67'), Fowler (Morris 83'), Walters, Cotterrall Not used: Brace, Horwood (Y).

Airbus: Palethorpe, Edwards, Felicello, Woodward, Davies, Allen, Cook (Kilgannon 67'), Desmoreaux, Hollows (Molyneaux 67'), McIntosh, Cadwallader, Not used: J Rowlands (Y), Smart. Referee Neil Thomas Attendance 298

18.10.08 Rhyl 3 Carmarthen Town 0

Conceding two goals in a two minute period just after the break proved to be Town's undoing as league leaders Rhyl established a comfortable lead through former Wrexham players Gareth Owen and Neil Roberts.

But despite competing well Town were unable to overturn the deficit and with Roberts adding to the tally on the stroke of full time the hosts enjoyed a convincing, if somewhat flattering, score line.

“As difficult as it is to take, two huge defensive blunders has blown the score line out of all proportion. It was actually a very close game and it certainly didn’t look a three-nil. But, that’s what the score line says. Unfortunately the blunders took away the chance of us having something out of the game. We could also have prevented the first goal but we gave the ball away sloppy”.

“Something isn’t right because we’re performing but not winning games. And although we can take some satisfaction from the game we can’t pat ourselves on the back and lose three-nil”.

“Obviously it means that certain players are letting us down. They have to be taken out of the team or they have to step up to the mark quickly as we have to crack on and get some wins under our belt because we’re in danger of a gap opening up”.

With the exception of Jamal Easter, who replaced the injured Danny Thomas, manager Deryn Brace retained the same squad that had performed well at Aberystwyth in mid-week. Ben Morris took up the vacant position on the bench in the absence of Nicky Palmer.

Town began determinedly with the defence setting out their stall from the whistle. Richard Hughes, in particular, proved to be the master of Josh Johnson who had been presented with the league’s Player of the Month Award before the start of the game.

Neil Thomas reacted sharply to push Owen’s effort around the post on 10 minutes before the veteran midfielder struck a formidable corner into the box that somehow evaded the goal.

Gradually E.H. Factors & Clothing sponsored Carmarthen Town played their way into the game. Sacha Walters found himself at the end of a deflected Gregg Coombes shot but was unable to connect cleanly. Within minutes a fine move down the right involving Easter and Walters saw Tim Hicks direct the wing man’s cross at Kendall who held comfortably.

Owen, who is enjoying a new lease of life as a player, continued to be the main influence on the game. His 35th minute free kick from Town’s right flashed across the box and eventually rebounded to safety off the far post.

With half time approaching the ‘take no prisoners’ attitude of central defenders Mark Dodds and Neil Smothers permeated throughout the side and Town held the usually free scoring Lilywhites well.

Following the break some poor defending and clinical finishing in the 48th and 50th minutes undid all the hard work of the first half period as Owen arrived unmarked in the box to head home Craig Jones’ fine cross and break the deadlock.

Two minutes later Town went further behind as Roberts managed to squeeze the ball past Thomas after Carl Owen pulled-back from the bye line to provide the opening.

To their credit Town continued to probe the home defence. Nathan Cotterrall and Stuart Roberts combined well down the left and substitute Morris, making his first league appearance of the campaign, almost scored with his first touch; but was denied by Kendall after fellow substitute Lee Hudgell was released down the left.

Kendall then saved superbly from Hicks after the forward had timed his run perfectly to connect with Easter’s through ball and Paul Fowler, who was increasingly influential, saw his fine effort go inches over.

But if Kendall was in determined mood to keep a clean sheet, hesitancy in the Town defence proved costly as Cotterrall was caught in possession by Owen and Roberts, returning after a three match suspension, bagged a brace with a minute remaining to put a gloss on Rhyl’s score line as they maintained their impressive record at the head of the League table.

Town now down to eighth are without a win in six league outings Manager Deryn Brace feels his side needs to step up a gear.  “We do need to win as quickly as possible. We keep dropping points; we keep saying we’re the better side. But players do have to step up to the mark. We have to make a big improvement”.

“Tuesday night is another one that’s got away from us. We should have won the game and they could have snatched it. That’s the story of the last six weeks. The lads need to find that hunger, find that desire that they had in the first three or four weeks when we were wining and it was coming natural. At the moment I think certain players have taken their eye of the mark”.

10.10.08 Carmarthen Town 1 Caersws FC 1

Following a fast and flowing encounter Carmarthen Town was forced to share the spoils with visitors Caersws FC on Friday night. Despite dominating for long periods a Ross Jeffries goal for the visitors, half way through the first half, ensured that Town was forced to play catch-up fro the remainder of the game. 

But having exerted constant second half pressure EH Factors & Clothing sponsored Carmarthen Town finally made their mark when substitute Stuart Roberts finished clinically to put Town back on level terms. But despite late chances for both sides the outcome resulted in stalemate.

Bluebirds Assistant Chris Hughes accepted the outcome, “In the end it could have gone either way. We could have won it and we could have come away with nothing. “

But Town coach Mark Aizlewood was not quite so accepting.”Not happy at all. I think it’s important that when you play any game, but especially at home, against teams below you the first priority is to keep a clean sheet. I stressed this to the players before the game as I believed we would score at least one goal against Caersws".

"But to take the three points, when you do score, it has to be to put you in front. If they score first it dictates the nature of the game. They had fit, athletic players who were reasonably organised and got behind the ball. We then have to push people forward and it becomes an end to end game giving them chances on the break. You cannot keep giving teams a goal start".

"People will talk about; if Danny Thomas had scored it would have been different. No, if we keep a clean sheet that's not important because eventually we will score. Forget about people missing chances because they will do. The key fact is that we must have a collective responsibility to keep the ball out of our net."

On performances Aizlewood added, "I thought we had some decent performances second half but we still haven't got three points. I thought their No7 (White) was a very good player. He was lively, energetic and able to play on the counter attack because of the nature of the game".

An evenly balanced opening saw Danny Thomas' low effort, following some clever link play by Jamal Easter and Gregg Coombes, go inches wide of the upright. But minutes later it took a brilliant reaction save from Caersws keeper Andy Hughes to deny the busy striker after the unmarked Neil Smothers had headed down Easter’s cross to the back post.

Stewart White caused problems for Town on the flank as the visitors exploited the right, raiding dangerously, before breaking the deadlock on 22 minutes. With Aeron Edwards pivotal he fed White out on the flank and having broken the cover the wingman’s ball across the face of the goal was touched home by Ross Jeffries to put the visitors in the driving seat.

Gregg Coombes, who retained his place in the absence of Nicky Palmer, distributed well and having found Lee Hudgell on the left saw the winger’s long effort clip the Caersws bar as the visitors maintained their narrow lead at the break.

Following the resumption Town exerted considerable pressure, besieging the Caersws goal for long periods. With Nathan Cotterrall, Sacha Walters and Easter being constantly prompted by Coombes Town’s relentless pressure finally paid dividends on 72 minutes.

With the tenacious Thomas winning possession well he played a neat ball over the defence for substitute Stuart Roberts to run on to and fire past the resilient Hughes.

The visitors continued to threaten on the break but with minutes remaining Hughes again denied Coombes a winner.

At the other end the Bluebirds almost stole the show as Jeffries' header hit the bar and Chris Melia's soft follow up was gathered by the stranded Neil Thomas.

Following an entertaining, but at times frustrating, game Manager Deryn Brace reflected on the outcome and his side’s first half carelessness. “We certainly deserved it but we were always chasing the win. We have got to learn, against teams that might frustrate us; we cannot go 1-0 down. We can’t concede the first goal. Because they have done what they want to do and they are quite happy to sit on the lead or even accept a point. We have to spend the rest of the game trying to find two goals to win it. That’s the disappointing aspect for me”.

“We played some good stuff. Our football was good and again we created opportunities. Their keeper’s made three super saves, two he didn’t even realise that he’s made. And that’s the element in terms of luck. It does feel as if its two points dropped”.

“But when you look at it in terms of games played compared to fixtures last season we’re actually better off. We drew with Neath at home last season, we drew at Porthmadog at home last season. Whereas we beat them both this time. We lost to Caersws last season and the only result that has not matched up is the one at Bangor last week. So even though we might be down in the points we’re up in the corresponding games. We do need to start becoming a little more street wise”.

In terms of performances Brace felt his front two combined well, especially in the first half. “I thought Danny and Jama linked up well. They spun off people well and they caused them an awful lot of trouble. I thought it was nice that Stuart came off the bench to score. He’s been patient and it’s been frustrating for him but he gave us a huge lift when he came on and he showed his quality with a terrific strike”.

Town: N Thomas, Hughes, Hudgell (Roberts 52'), Coombes, Smothers, Dodds, D Thomas, Easter, fowler, Walters, Cotterall Subs not used: Brace, Hicks.

Caersws: A Hughes, Jones, Hopkins, Sudlow, R Williams, Futcher, White (D Hughes 74'), Edwards, Melia, Jeffries, Davies (Cookson 88') Sub not used:S Williams. Referee Simon Jones Attendance 326.

03.10.08 Welsh Cup Round 2
Carmarthen Town 6 Bow Street 1

Eliminated by lower league opposition in last season's third round Town were made to suffer an early scare against Spar Mid Wales outfit Bow Street on Friday night. But a brace apiece for Danny Thomas and Jamal Easter with one each for Nicky Palmer and Lee Hudgell saw Town totally dominate the second period to run out comfortable winners and book a date with Welsh Alliance outfit Pwllhelli FC in the next round of the competition.

Town’s coach Mark Aizlewood was pleased to have exorcised the ghost of last season’s early exit. “What was the pleasing thing about the Bow Street game for me was we finally got the Newport YMCA game out of our system. That’s been bugging me for 12 months. Now that’s out of our system we can look forward to the next challenge”.

Having started brightly and created several half chances, with Thomas, Nathan Cotterrall and Sacha Walters probing, Town were caught on the break as the Ceredigion Magpies took an unexpected early lead. Mid fielder Dean Evans ran on to a well weighted through ball and netted past Neil Thomas on seven minutes, much to the delight of a considerable Bow Street following.

Six minutes later Town looked to have won an equaliser when referee Wayne Tregonning pointed to the spot after Thomas was brought down in the box by Nicky Smith. But with Cotterrall taking the responsibility his spot kick clipped the post ending up wide of the mark and Town, frustratingly, continued to trail the visitors with the whiff of an upset in the offing.

The visitorscontinuing to break sharply as Michael Gornal worked himself free on the right and Jason Rees’ angled drive forced a good save from Thomas. Minutes later Rees again caused problems as he rounded the cover on the left.

But Town's nerves were settled somewhat on 26 minutes. Cotterrall, who was influential when freed to play a more forward role, put in a floated cross that was headed home perfectly by Thomas to bring the Welsh Premier outfit back on level terms.

Town began to exert considerable pressure forcing a series of corners. And, having pegged back the visitors, Deryn Brace’s shot went inches wide of the target.

Bow Street keeper Nathan Bennett did well to block Walters when one-on-one and just before the break denied Easter in similar fashion to keep it all square at the interval.

The second half saw Town continue to dominate keeping the visitors corralled in their own half and very much on the defensive. Easter saw his low shot well held by Bennett but minutes later he had the better of the former Rhayader stopper.

With Thomas weaving his way through the Magpies’ defence he played in his strike and Town finally got their noses in front on 56 minutes.

The Richmond Park outfit didn’t look back. Thomas added a third on the hour when he ran on to a long ball to put past Bennett and despite Peter James and Phillip Evans doing well in the middle of the Bow Street defence the constant Town tide could not be stemmed as Hudgell added the final touch to Coombes' spilled drive before Easter put the game beyond the visitors with a quarter hour remaining.

With the Magpies showing great spirit, battling to the end, a late effort from Palmer saw Town safely through having suffered an early scare.

Aizlewood was impressed with the opposition’s attitude and the way they conducted themselves. “Sometimes, when sides are quite obviously playing against teams at a higher standard the temptation, at times, is to resort to a physical approach. They never resorted to that.

“They continued to try and play and conducted themselves absolutely superbly. I thought that was a credit to them and after the game I knocked on Bow Street’s door and express my gratitude and admiration for them, for the way they had conducted themselves.”

What then had the coach said at half time to turn the game around? “I think we dominated from the start despite going behind. We could have scored six goals in the first half. But it wasn’t about that for me. It wasn’t about whether we were going to win the game; I always knew we were going to win the game. It was about good habits and dominating with good habits, good professionalism and doing the right things”.

“If we’d done that first half and still come in 1-1 then that’s fine. That’s what I stressed to the players at half time it’s about setting standards both collectively and independently. We dominated second half again but in the right way. I would have been happy had we only got two goals”.

He added,” I thought Greg Coombes was our best player. What he did on Friday night was to put his marker down. I thought that he showed, with certain aspects of his game, what he can bring to the central mid field area”.

“Perhaps things we have been lacking like a little bit more creativity, a little bit more astuteness with the passing, an ability to spot a short and a long pass. I thought he was first class”.

Town: N Thomas, Hughes, Hudgell, Palmer, Brace (Roberts 68'), Smothers, D Thomas (Hicks 73'), Easter, Coombes, Walters, Cotterrall Sub not used: Fowler.

Bow Street: Bennett, Jones, Carree (M Evans 78'), James, Gornal, Rees, D Middleton, D Evans (C Middleton 68'), Shaw (Thomas 63'), P Evans, Smith. Referee: Wayne Tregonning.

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