01.10.10 Carmarthen Town 2 Prestatyn Town 1

Town took all three points as they came from behind to record their first home win of the season at Richmond Park on Saturday and interestingly it was also their first back-to-back league victory since season 2008/9.

Prestatyn's Paul O’Neil had caught Town napping on four minutes when he put the visitors ahead, heading home a Ross Stephens free kick from six yards. But with Town responding positively with two-second half goals, a Sacha Walters spot kick and a captain’s goal from Dale Griffiths, Town took a full quota to secure a healthy seven point tally from the last nine on offer.

Town manager Tomi Morgan again praised his squad for their efforts. “I was pleased with the way we continued to try and play our way into the game after conceding such a poor goal so early in the game”.

“We were also put under pressure for periods of the game but that was really down to our own fault with some sloppy clearances”.

“Overall I thought we were deserving winners in a competitive affair.”

With Town retaining the same starting line-up and with the game barely settling in it was the Northeast Wales side that took the early lead. Stephens, whose set piece delivery was superb throughout the afternoon, whipped the ball in from the right and O’Neill beat a static Town defence to give the visitors a dream start to what would be tightly contested encounter.

Town gradually played their way back into the game. Nick Harrhy was denied a goal scoring opportunity when he was brought down on the edge of the Prestatyn box. But with keeper Jon Hill-Dunt dealing with Steve Evans’ set piece efficiently the effort provided little threat before Walters made some probing runs for the Old Gold. But with no clear-cut chances at either end and keepers largely redundant the visitors retained the slim advantage at the break.

Following the resumption Town pushed for the equaliser and the Old Gold were rewarded for their perseverance just before the hour mark. Walters, who made a darting run across the Seasider’s penalty area, saw his shot charged down by a defender. But with referee Darren Adie adjudging that the ball had hit a defender’s arm he awarded Town a penalty, which wing-man Walters coolly slotted home to bring Town level.

With little separating the sides and in contrasting styles Town eventually took the lead in the seventy-fourth minute. With Town forcing a series of corners Griffiths headed home a Lee Phillips flag kick to net what proved to be the winner. But the tables were soon turned as Griffiths and his fellow defenders were forced to defend a period of pressure as the visitors broke sharply and with penetration.

And it took a goal line clearance from Walters to deny the visitors an equaliser following a Stephens corner. Lee Hunt acrobatic overhead kick hit the bar before Mike Lewis superbly finger-tipped the Prestatyn centre forward’s snapshot from ten yards over to safety. And Town substitute Craig Frater could have made the score line more emphatic but was unlucky to see two late efforts fly just the wrong side of the visiting bar and post.

But with Town securing the win that takes them up to eighth equal on points with Airbus and Port Talbot a run of three games unbeaten will provide confidence ahead of next Sunday’s game against high flying Neath Athletic.

Town: M Lewis, L Phillips, S Evans, D Griffiths, G Bansor, K Howard, L Jenkins, G Passmore, N Harrhy (C Frater 88'), A Evans (C Davies 71'), S Walters Subs not used: C Thomas, R Elias (Y), A Davies (Y)

Prestatyn: J Hill-Dunt, K Edwards, J Lewis, D Hayes, P O’Neill, G Wilson, M Parker (D Evans 78'), N Gibson, L Hunt, S Rogers (J Fisher-Cooke 69'), R Stephens Sub not used: C Davies. Referee: Darren Adie

10.10.10 Neath Athletic 2 Carmarthen Town 1

With former Town mid fielder Paul Fowler sparking a comeback for the Eagles with fourteen minutes remaining, a controversial decision from referee Lee Evans a minute later saw substitute Liam Thomas convert a quickly taken free kick to put the host ahead after Andy Evans had given Town a 46th. minute lead.

Following a goalless first half in which both sides had been denied by the woodwork Town keeper Mike Lewis fouled Lee Trundle in the box but made amends by denying the forward from the resulting spot kick. And, after Thomas had converted Trundle’s quickly taken free kick, Town saw their own confident shout for an injury time spot kick turned away before a diving goal line header from Kristian O’Leary’s denied Town a leveller right at the death.

Town manager Tomi Morgan will be justifiably disappointed not to have taken something from a game that the Richmond Park boss felt had hinged on a controversial refereeing decision.

“I think the turning point of the game was the ref’s decision that Lee Jenkins’ sliced ball, 30 meters into the air, was a back pass. In all honesty I think he was the only person that thought that and I don’t think Lee could have done it even if he had really intended to”.

“I’m proud of the boys for their performance. I thought we created plenty of chances and we competed really well throughout”.

“Yes after we took the lead they came at us. Fowler’s goal was a great goal and we could do nothing about it. But the second, that was a different matter.

“When we were 2-1 down they had some breakaways as we pushed up. I think we showed a little inexperience in allowing them to come on to us. We had a couple of late opportunities and I really thought we should have at least had a share of the points if not more”.

With little to separate the sides in an even first half encounter Andy Hill rattled Town’s bar on 35 minutes before Dale Griffiths hooked the ball off the line to safety. A couple minutes later it was Griffiths’ turn to threaten as he crossed in for Town with the ball clipping the Neath woodwork before crossing to safety.

Town matched the high-flying Eagles well. Kieran Howard showed confidence with his mid field distribution and with Town disciplined in defence they constrained the high profile Gnoll forward line in goalless first half.

Then within a minute of the resumption Town made the perfect breakthrough. A Lee Phillips free kick from the right saw some scrambled defending in the box. But with Evans getting a final touch he stabbed the ball home from close quarters to give Town the lead.

Five minutes later a vital penalty area interception by Jenkins denied Neath an equaliser and after Trundle was brought down in the box on 63 minutes by Lewis the keeper was equal to the task when he denied the front man’s spot kick, diving to his left.

But with the Eagles pushing in search of an equaliser a slide rule delivery from the left saw former Town mid fielder Fowler, who had an outstanding game throughout, cracked the ball home with fourteen minutes remaining to give the hosts the equaliser they had threatened.

Then a minute later came the contentious turning point of the game. With the referee adjudging that that Jenkins’ sliced and lofted ball, 15 yards outside the box, to have been a back-pass he controversially awarded Neath a free kick. With Town still reeling by the decision the hosts quickly converted the set piece with Thomas netting what proved to be the winner.

With the fourth official showing four minutes of added time Walters weaved his way into the box before being brought down. But with referee Evans waving play on Town crossed back in before Corey Thomas’ goal-bound screamer was cleared off the line by O’Leary’s diving header.

Neath FC: C Morris, A Evans, A Fairbairn, K O'Leary, L Hancock, S Pockett (L Thomas 66'), C Jones, P Fowler, A Hill (C Hughes 60'), L Trundle, C Bond (L Cummings 81') Subs not used: L Morgan, W Walters

Town: M Lewis, L Phillips (T Hicks 80'), L Jenkins, D Griffiths, G Bansor, K Howard, D Griffiths,(C Thomas 79'), G Passmore, N Harrhy, S Walters, A Evans (C Davies 67') Attendance: 886 Referee: Lee Evans

16.10.10 CARMARTHEN TOWN 4 BALA TOWN 1

A dramatic four goal first half blitz gave Town an emphatic win over Bala and quickly demolished any hopes that the Lakesider’s might have had of narrowing the gap on their Richmond Park hosts. A brace of goals for Nick Harry and one each for Tim Hicks and Sacha Walters gave Town a commanding lead at the break. Mark Jones pulled one back for the visitors In a second half that lacked any real momentum. But with Town finishing strongly they secured a second consecutive home win that sees Tomi Morgan’s side climb into the top half of the table.

Morgan felt that the result was no more than Town’s form had promised over recent weeks. " We've been threatening to score a few for a while and today we scored some cracking first half goals".

"Yes very happy with the first half performance. We lacked momentum a little in the second period when we lost a couple of experienced players through injury. That let in Bala to force a couple of chances".

"Second half it was a case of doing the basic spade work and keeping things going. It's always difficult to defend a lead like that and players do switch off. We finished the game well and we were a little unlucky not to have had added to the score.

Following some early season setbacks the Richmond Park boss was pleased to be in the top half of the table. “I'm happy to be up to sixth. I think recent results have put the Airbus and TNS games into perspective."

Steve Evans and Tim Hicks both returned to Town's starting line up following injury and with Bala retaining the same line up that had secured an injury time win against Llanelli it was the visitors who posed the early threat with a determined Josh Macauley and Mark Jones making an impression down the right. John Irving went closest with the best of the early chances off a curling Paul Ennis free kick but it was Tim Hicks who broke the deadlock in Town's favour when his stinger of a shot took a slight deflection to beat the keeper on 11 minutes.

Visiting captain Jones was allowed space in midfield to get a shot on target but Nick Harrhy soon added a second with some slick finishing to give Town some daylight. Having scavenged well for mid field possession Kieran Howard picked out the wingman with a precise pass. With Harrhy weaving his way inside he hammered the ball right footed passed the keeper on 20 minutes to make it 2-0.

Four minutes later Harrhy bagged his brace. Lee Jenkins shrewdly played a free kick wide to Evans whose curling cross was met by the advancing wingman who netted with a powerful header at the back post. Following a Lee Phillips corner keeper Leon Bimpson did well to deny Hicks a second, finger tipping the front man's effort to safety. But with Town in command there was little Bimpson could do to deny Walters' sweetly struck curling free kick. With Hicks brought down on the edge of the box Evans and Walters contrived a dummy for the No11 to net his third goal in consecutive games, with eight minutes of the half remaining.

Town lost defender Lee Phillips at the break and shortly after the experienced Jenkins was forced withdraw. The hosts lost a little momentum and with Bala retaining more possession Ennis was prominent in several raids down the right. Town keeper Mike Lewis did well to deny Chris Mason in a one-on-one before Jones pulled one back for the visitors when he capitalised on Town's hesitancy at the back following protests for a hand ball.

But with Town regrouping Bimpson finger tipped over and Danny Williams was forced to clear his lines as Harrhy, Walters and Hicks pressed. At the other end Lewis palmed away a powerful free kick from Jones before smothering out a threat from sub Rob Evans. Late on Walters rounded the Bala back line a couple of times. But with one effort denied by Mark Powell, who beat Geraint Passmore to the cross, and the second just eluding Harrhy there was no addition to the tally as Town finished strongly.

Town: M Lewis, L Phillips (L Bevan 46'), S Evans (Darren Griffiths 82'), Dale Griffiths, G Bansor, K Howard, L Jenkins (C Thomas 51'), G Passmore, N Harrhy, T Hicks, S Walters Subs not used: A Thomas (Y), O Ardalino (Y)

Bala: L Bimpson, J irving, G Lloyd, M Powell, S Kelly, D Williams, P Ennis, M Jones, C Mason, J Macauley (R Jeffries 46'), S Morrison (R Evans 82') Sub not used: D Jellicoe. Referee: Kevin Parry.

22.10.10 Aberystwyth Town 2 Carmarthen Town 2

In front of a sizable Friday evening crowd Town’s in-form forwards Nick Harrhy and Sacha Walters sustained their scoring exploits as Town’s current good form continued to secure a valuable away point. But despite having extracted a little revenge for their opening day reversal Tomi Morgan’s side was, in truth, extremely unfortunate not to have gained a full quota of points.

With Steve Evans injured Corey Thomas returned to the Town midfield and the versatile Lee Jenkins dropped into the left back position to accommodate the only change to the starting line up. Town went immediately on the offensive. And when a Walters corner form the left was flicked on at the near post Harrhy was well positioned to nod home at the far post to give Town an early lead on six minutes.

Town’s pace going forward was worrying the hosts and Harrhy was unlucky not to double his, and Town’s, tally four minutes later when he just failed to reach a tantalising cross. Walters once again the provider. Then on seventeen minutes the Green & Blacks were back on level terms. Left-winger Steff Edwards was allowed too much space and his well-struck curving effort flew past the desperate dive of keeper Michael Lewis.

Both sides had chances before the break. Lewis turned over a Luke Sherbon shot before making a fine stop at the feet of Lewis Codling. Harrhy and Tim Hicks both went close for the visitors.

The second half started in spectacular style. Harrhy unleashed a thunderous shot form 25 yards that beat keeper Steve Cann but was denied by the crossbar and the ball bounced safely back into play.

Aber manager Alan Morgan brought on Andy Finselbach and the former Liberty Stadium product immediately caused problems for the Old Gold defence. Six minutes after the hour, having been released down the Aber right, his cross into the box was met by Codling who fired into the back of the net to put the hosts ahead.

Having been punished Town responded positively and should have equalised almost immediately but, inexplicably, Harrhy shot over the bar from close range. Morgan brought on additional firepower and Town continued to pour forward in search of an equaliser. Four minutes from time and their efforts were finally rewarded. With Town pressing and the hosts scrambling to clear the ball was played back in and Walters stole in to head in at the near post and ensure that Town once again had something to show for their Park Avenue visit.

In a game that was an entertaining end to end affair manager Tomi Morgan will be pleased to have secured a share of the spoils against one of his former clubs but may also feel that his side had created enough chances to have taken all three. And with five of the weekend’s six fixtures ending in draws, highlighting the competitiveness of the League, Town are now in seventh position on equal points with near neighbours Llanelli and next week’s opponents Airbus UK Broughton.

Aberystwyth: S Cann, C Williams, M Howard, J McCarten, S James, C Murtagh, L Codling (A Thomas 76'), A Pepper (A Finselbach 59'), L Sherbon, R Evans, S Edwards Subs not used: G Hughes, B Morgan.

Town: M Lewis, L Phillips , L Jenkins , Dale Griffiths, G Bansor, K Howard, C Thomas (Darren Griffiths77'), G Passmore (A Evans 76'), N Harrhy, T Hicks, S Walters Subs not used: L Bevan, A Thomas (Y), O Ardalino (Y). Referee M Whitby.

30.10.10 Airbus UK Broughton 2 Carmarthen Town 4

Town’s unbeaten Airfield record continued with a convincing 4-2 win over the Wingmakers. A brace of goals from Kieran Howard and one each from brothers Dale and Darren Griffiths saw Town collect all three points that takes them up to fourth in the table with the hosts condemned to their eleventh game without a win.

With the half time prognoses looking very bleak for Town as they trailed 2-1 to the livelier and sharper hosts, a spirited and energetic second half revival gave Town a deserved win that avenged their early season drubbing at the hands of the Deeside outfit. Manager Tomi Morgan was delighted that his side had show considerable character to turn the game around in the second period.

“First half we just weren’t in it, we didn’t do the basics and simply we weren’t competing at all. In all honesty we were very, very lucky to go in at half time only one goal down given the chances they created. I think they hit the woodwork twice”.

“Second half we were a different team; we were in their faces more and far more competitive. Three second half goals, four away from home, says it all really. Yes it was a very pleasing win".

With Geraint Passmore and Steve Evans injured and Lee Jenkins unavailable Tim Hicks and Darren Griffiths were given midfield roles. And with Bobby Briers drafted in to the right back birth Lee Phillips switched to left back to accommodate the late change.

On a soft pitch the hosts set their stall out early as Andy Moran went close with a far post header after only six minutes. But with Town’s first fore into the Airbus half Darren Griffiths did well to get to the bye line before crossing back in for Nick Harrhy who put a good chance wide of the mark.

But with the Wingmakers continuing to press they duly made the breakthrough they had threatened. With Town’s back line static, appealing the offside, Nick Rushton broke through. And although Mike Lewis was able to get a touch the Wrexham loanee retained the ball to round the keeper and net with only 11 minutes gone. Three minutes later Phil Clarke crossed in dangerously as Richie Dorman went very close to adding a second. And the Wingmakers continued to cause Town problems especially with the diagonal ball that enabled Rushton to get in behind Town’s back line on several occasions.

Following the twenty-minute mark Town looked to be retaining possession better and on 28 minutes were back on level terms. With Walters crossing a Phillips throw in Harrhy, with his back to goal, chested the ball down for Howard to strike his debut Town goal and make it 1-1.

Airbus looked to regain the initiative and six minutes later Rushton crossed from the by-line for Danny Desormeaux to volley from close in. But with Lewis just getting a touch the ball was deflected against the upright and safety but minutes later Rushton again threatened as he rattled the bar following a corner.

But with Town continuing to live dangerously they were duly punished for some poor defending when the hosts regained the lead at a crucial time with two minutes of the half remaining. With Airbus awarded a free kick for a foul on Dorman, Clarke’s set-piece was headed across goal by Leon Clowes for the predatory Moran to head in at the back post and make it 2-1 at the break.

The hosts began the second half as they had finished the first with Moran, Dorman and Rushton continuing to threaten. Town still had some difficulties dealing with the diagonal ball but having made some changes following the break, looked to get to grips with the game. With manager Tomi Morgan pushing Griffiths and Hicks forward Town created more of a threat. As they retained possession better in the final third Griffiths and Howard linked well and a Hicks snap shot was put behind.

Making more of an impact Town were soon back on level terms for the second time just after the hour. Dale Griffiths' ball was helped on by Harrhy and with Darren Griffiths battling for possession he turned and muscled his way past both his markers before firing past Callum Hawthorne for a fine individual goal.

Five minutes later and now more in control Town took the lead for the first time. With defender Briers fouled Airbus failed to deal with Phillips’ set piece from the flank. And with the ball bobbing in the penalty area the Griffiths brothers made it a family affair as Darren saw his shot blocked before Dale headed in the rebound following the goalmouth scramble.

Carl Owen came on for the hosts immediately and with a quarter hour remaining all three Airbus subs were on as the hosts looked to redress the balance. But with Town now sensing that the game had turned in their favour they continued to push forward although on occasions were made to defend sharp Aibus raids.

Then with six minutes remaining Town sealed the win. With Howard breaking from deep he rolled the ball forward to the overlapping Walters. And with the wing-man beating two defenders he cleverly played Howard back in for the midfielder to bag his brace and secure the points for Town. Despite Mattie Woodward’s late header grazing Town’s bar the visitors saw out the game confidently and, having gone behind twice, Tomi Morgan’s charges showed considerable character to come back and claim the spoils.

Airbus UK Broughton: C Hawthorne, P Clarke, G Felicello (M Woodward 75'), L Clowes, M Allen, A Williams, R Dorman (C Owen 62'), D Desormeaux, A Moran, N Rushton, M Cook (Smith 75')

Town: M Lewis, L Phillips, B Briers, D Griffiths, G Bansor (L Bevan 89'), K Howard, C Thomas, Darren Griffiths (A Evans 90'), N Harrhy (C Davies 82'), T Hicks, S Walters Sub not used: O Ardolino (Y). Referee: Lee Evans.

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