25.07.06 Carmarthen Town 2 Walsall FC 3

TOWN AGAIN PERFORMED well against what looked to be the Walsall starting line-up and served early notice on their League visitors with a 13th. minute goal after Sasha Walters nipped in to collect a long through ball and fire past a stranded Clayton Ince.

Dean Keates should have done better for the ‘Saddlers’ when well placed in front of goal but Town could easily have extended the lead when Walters elected to round the keeper and lost out rather than fire the ball home after Mark Dodds had lobed the defence to put him clear.

Andrew Delve saved well from Hector Sam but the former Wrexham man made no mistake minutes later when he dispossessed Tom Ramasut and fired past Delve with the ball ricocheting in off the underside of the bar just before the half hour.

The ‘Saddler’s then went ahead five minutes later when Town failed to deal with Kris Taylor’s cross and Mark Wright stabbed the ball into the net with the keeper committed.

Nathan Cotterall and Chris Thomas continually caused problems for the labouring visiting back line and with Colin Loss commanding in the middle Town deservedly equalised when Dodds flicked home Thomas’ deft lob over the defence just before half time.

Danny Thomas and Ramasut linked well after the break but Walsall grabbed what proved to be the winner ten minutes into the second period when Martin Butler picked up on Daniel Fox’s long ball down the middle to squeeze it past Delve to regain the initiative.

Town retained possession well throughout the second period. But, without really threatening Ince, the equaliser remained elusive. A last ditch tackle from Dodds in front of goal and a scrambled clearance from a dangerous free kick from the edge of the box proved the only hiccup as Town’s back line played with confidence and gave little away to the visitors.

Having matched the professionals in all phases Mark Aizlewood will have far more positives to reflect on than his former Luton team mate as Town will look to maintain the momentum and tempo of the last three games into the forthcoming League campaign.

Town: Delve, Evans, Ramasut, Hancock, Evans (Davies), Thomas C, Walters (Mohamed), Loss, Dodds (White), Thomas D, Cotterall.

Walsall FC: Ince, Pead (Demontagnac ), Fox (Bedeau), Gerrard, Roper, Butler, Sam (Westwood), Keates, Wright, Taylor, Kinsella. Constable replaced Demontagnac.

18.07.06 Carmarthen Town 3 Swansea City 3

TOWN OFFICIALLY OPENED the new Clay Shaw Butler Stand with Swansea City the guests of honour.

And Town rocked the visitors with an early brace when Town defender Giles struck home after Willy Gueret failed to deal with the high ball and it rebounded off the post to the 'Bulls' trialist.

Mark Dodds, under pressure from Gary Monk, added a second on twenty minutes with a curling shot and in between Trundle’s turn and shot and Fallon’s overhead effort were both held by Delve in the Town goal.

Danny Thomas’ dogged run almost made it three before Trundle finally found the target on the half hour with a sweet first time volley from the edge of the box to reduce the deficit.
But Town were quick to restored the advantage when Nathan Cotterrall tucked away Colin Loss’ corner as Swansea failed to clear. And it was not Fallon’s night as Delve again saved well with his feet to maintained the advantage into the break.

Swansea changed personnel following the interval and on the hour McLeod took advantage of a Town defensive error to round Delve and reduce the deficit. Two minutes later and it was all square as Kevin Evans and Delve clashed and Leon Knight’s ball over one and under the other found the net.

Town survived some late pressure. Robinson blazed over and a Trundle shot hit the base of the post before a great covering tackle from Giles denied Akinfenwa right at the end.

A fair result and Town will be encouraged by two excellent performances against League opposition. Mark Jones will be satisfied with the outcome of an entertaining game played in front of a sizable and appreciative crowd.

11.07.06 Carmarthen Town 0 Cardiff City 1

TOWN WILL GAIN a great deal of confidence from an encouraging display against Championship outfit Cardiff City. Having matched the Bluebirds throughout a Paul Parry strike five minutes from time proved the difference between the two sides.

Manager Mark Jones told Y Dre ar Y We, " It was a good performance and just what we needed. It restored a lot of pride and confidence after Europe and it gave me an opportunity to look at a number of options. City put out a strong side against us and I think we responded well."

A very competitive and evenly balanced first period saw both sides create chances. Parry and Ferretti combined well for the visitors and Parry’s early free kick went inches wide of the upright after Kevin Evans brought down Kamara.

Both back lines looked well organised and gave little away and when Cardiff did break through on the half hour Delve saved well from Ferretti. Walters and Thomas gave Town momentum in the middle and Loss battled well for posession. Cardiff new signing Johnson looked in command as he distributed well and snuffed out any aerial challenge with ease.

After the breakTown had the better of the early exchanges and with the visitors having difficulty clearing both Walters and Pocket came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock.

Delve again stopped well, this time from Ledley and when Parry’s floated free kick found Plessis his header grazed the bar. But it was Howard who was the busier of the two keepers as Ramasut joined the action on the hour.

Then with substitutions disturbing the flow of a game that looked to be heading for stalemate Cardiff broke down the left and Ferretti’s cross found the unmarked Parry who picked his spot to give the visitors the narrowest of wins.But despite the scoreline Town can be pleased with a very positive performance.

Town: Delve, Evans, Giles, Hancock, K. Evans, C Thomas, Walters, Loss, Dodds, D. Thomas, Cotterall. Subs: Davies, Highes, ramasut, Pockett, Limas, Hart, White.

Cardiff City: Howard, Weston, Ledley, Whitley,Loovens, Johnson, Kamara, Mckoy, Ferretti, Plessis, Parry. Subs: Gunter, Allison, Evans, Smith, Bassett Carlile, McCoubrey, Coombes, Blake.