09.09.07 Carmarthen Town 1 Caernarfon Town 1

WITH a purposeful second-half performance, Carmarthen Town recovered to cancel out a first-half deficit against this season's surprise Welsh Premier side Caernarfon at Richmond Park.

Following a lacklustre first half where Town were under pressure for long periods, a double substitution on the hour gave the hosts renewed momentum and saw Danny Thomas level following Chris Noone's first-half strike for the visitors.

Town will be disappointed not to have claimed a full quota of points in their first home game of the season, but they showed some second-half creativity and persistence, enabling Thomas to latch on to a long ball from keeper Neil Thomas and, having forced his way through the defensive cover, toe-poke the ball past Vincent Whelan to give Town a deserved share of the spoils.

Early chances fell to both sides. Defender Liam Hancock rattled the bar from a Gregg Coombes corner and Paul Addo's curling free-kick was steered round the post by Neil Thomas.

Manager Deryn Brace, who was involved in an earlier clash of heads, was forced to withdraw and with Town readjusting, Caernarfon took advantage and a perfectly weighted through ball from Layton Maxwell put lively No. 10 Noone free in front of goal to fire past Thomas with six minutes of the half remaining.

Brace's on-field presence as an organiser has been evident this season, and in the three minutes of added time Tim Ojapah, Noone and Addo combined to threaten the home goal. But Town's defensive line-up adjusted, and with Hancock clearing any aerial threat Town remained resolute.

Having used the break to regroup, Town started the second period with pace and tempo, but perseverance from Phil Doran and substitute John Rowley continued to trouble Town's defence on occasions though without really testing keeper Thomas.

Danny Thomas orchestrated a number of Town attacks with some fine interplay with his forward partners, and with the Canaries' defence showing their frustration, Thomas was up-ended on the edge of the box by Eifion Jones.

The visitors half-cleared the set piece and then Nathan Cotterall's shot was headed over to safety by Maxwell.

With the visitors looking to have weathered the storm, Town brought on the double substitution to freshen and maintain the attack.

The strength of the Town bench has been an important feature of the squad this season, and with the introduction of Nicky Palmer and Jamal Easter the visiting keeper was soon forced to make a vital save with his feet from the hard-working Tim Hicks.

Pressure mounted and Town's equaliser finally came in the 72nd minute. Neil Thomas produced a long clearance to keep his forwards on the attack and Danny Thomas battled past the central defenders and produced a determined finish to level the scores.

Minutes later the busy striker almost doubled his tally. Following a flowing move he swept the ball towards a gaping goal but Whelan was sharp to deny him.

In a game where there wasn't a bad tackle, referee Phil Southall brandished 10 yellow cards, and with Addo collecting his second of the afternoon with five minutes remaining the visitors were reduced to 10 men.

Town looked for the winner but failed to find the final touch.

Caernarfon manager Steve O ‘Shaughnessy was disappointed with the conceded goal but overall happy with the point.

“If you’d said before the game that we would come here and get a draw I’d be happy. I think we did well first half and we passed the ball around well.

“I was just disappointed with the very sloppy goal we conceded. It was a long ball and we just didn’t deal with it. But overall I’m happy with a point".

Town Coach Mark Aizlewood was disappointed at his side’s first half performance.

“We’ve had a couple of decent results but today we maybe forgot to do the basics. That’s what wins games.

“They were organised but didn’t unduly trouble us. They used the long ball and had some pace up front.

“But the second half we created some decent chances, enough to win the game, and we need to make sure that we perform for ninety minutes not thirty or forty five.

“We’re now in a position that the players on the bench are recognised Welsh Premier players. We have a decent squad and therefore quality substitutes and that makes a difference".

Manager Deryn Brace who suffered a cut to the head and had to withdraw from the game was relieved that his side had not conceded the game.

“I’m quite relieved more than anything because we didn’t play well. Having said that we created quite a few second half chances. But today is the poorest we’ve been in the League.

"They had the better of the first half and we clearly had the better of the second. The only way they were going to beat us was by hitting us on the break but it did look for a time as if we couldn’t break them down.

"Whilst it would have been hard on them and a fantastic result for us if we had won the game we didn’t deserve to lose it either. In the end a draw was most probably the fairest outcome".

Carmarthen Town: N Thomas, Hughes, Brace (Smothers 35), Coombes (Palmer 60), Hancock, C Thomas, D Thomas, Hicks, Fowler, Walters (Easter 60), Cotterrall.

Caernarfon Town: Whelan, Bamber, Doran, Glendenning, Jones, Thomas, Quinn (Rowley 46), Maxwell (Sampson 76), Addo, Noone, Ojapah (Jones 70).

Attendance: 174. Referee: Phil Southall

15.09.07 Newtown AFC 0 Carmarthen Town 1

Carmarthen Town continued their fine away form but left it late before securing their third win on the road against a Newtown AFC side that have made some significant signings this season.

With only seven minutes remaining substitute Sasha Walters pushed the ball wide on the right and with Kris Thomas making the long run to the bye line to keep the ball alive he crossed for skipper Nathan Cotterrall to pick his spot and fire the only goal of the game.

In reality Town had created plenty of chances throughout but in a tight game where the Old Gold looked as if they were going to win and Newtown looked capable of snatching the game, it was captain Cotterrall’s late strike that ensured the three points for the Richmond Park outfit.

Manager Deryn Brace has assembled a strong squad and in looking to keep all his squad sharp and competitive Neil Smothers replaced Richard Hughes in the centre of defence and Jamal Easter was given his first start of the season at the expense of Sacha Walters.

Noticeably the experienced Cotterrall has not had the best of starts this season but Saturday’s game saw the wing man produce a scintillating display out on the left.

Ironically it was good build up play by Easter and Chris Thomas down the right that allowed Town to switch play and put Cotterrall in the one-on-one situations he so relishes. But with the final touch in front of goal elusive Town failed to capitalise on the wing man’s sharpness on a number of occasions.

In a tight first period Town showed patience as they sought to exert control but Craig Moses came close to opening the account for the hosts on the half hour when following a scramble in the box the No 9 forced Neil Thomas to make his only save of the game.

For Town Tim Hicks produced a couple of angled shots that drifted just wide of the target and on the stroke of half time Danny Thomas forged a fine opening when he found himself one-on-one with the keeper. But, having bent the ball round Dave Jones, he unfortunately also bent it round the post leaving the game goalless at the break.

Whilst there was little to choose in the first period Town dominated in the second.

Hugh Clarke and Danny Jellicoe the experienced duo at the heart of the home defence found themselves under pressure but proved resistant. But with Gregg Coombes bossing the mid field and, together with Paul Fowler, winning considerable second ball possession new signing Easter looked to be acclimatising to life in the League and the breakthrough was just a matter of time.

With Town now dominant Thomas and Hicks remained mobile and probing up front. Hicks forced Jones to save on a couple of occasions from angled drives and at the other end Newtown’s Colin Loss saw his speculative long range effort deflected to safety.

Then as it looked as if Town could not force the goal that would give them the result they deserved before Cotterrall converted Thomas’ ball for the narrowest of wins that keeps the Richmond Park outfit well in contention with the League’s leading bunch.

And with the clock winding down Town came close to extending the lead as Easter broke free on the right. But with his shot come-cross into the box just out of Hicks’ reach Town were pleased to take what was on offer to maintain their League momentum.

Carmarthen Town manager Deryn Brace highlighted a team performance.

“It was a tight affair and we are going to have a lot of games like this. I thought it was a very good team performance where every individual did a fantastic job. They knew their role; they did their role and were patient.

“We were on top for long periods but it didn’t look as if it would go for us today. We were very patient and we got the goal we wanted. Instead of panicking and hanging on they played the game out which, for me, was fantastic.

“It keeps us in touch with the top pack. The last thing you need after seven or eight games is to be chasing the pack but the good thing is we’re up there with them which we have to maintain.

“We have changed the players, we have changed the system and we have a lot of young players. We have to be patient and a little more consistent".

Of the changes in the starting line-up Brace revealed his intention to rotate players when needed.

“We have players within the squad that have not played for four or five games now. It’s no good to me that when they are called upon they are six or seven games behind everyone else so we will make changes.

“But the changes are not because of weakness, the players are of a similar ability. We have to keep everyone fresh and competitive.

“We are going to see more of it this season. If you look at the bench we have a solid squad and that’s including the two players that were not involved today.

“Neil Smothers has done well in training and deserved a start and Richard was the unlucky one that got left out. The same with Sacha. I gave Jamal a start and an opportunity today. It worked and I hope it works every time".

Newtown AFC: Jones, Williams (Ryan 85'), Daniels, Clarke, Jellicoe, Hooper (Worton 68'), Lewis (James 68'), Tolley, Moses, Lloyd-Williams, Loss.

Carmarthen Town: N Thomas, Smothers, Brace, Coombes, Hancock, C Thomas, D Thomas (Walters 76'), Hicks, Fowler, Easter, Cotterrall. Subs not used: Hughes, Palmer.

Attendance: 152 Referee: Wayne Tregonning

18.09.07 CARMARTHEN TOWN 2 HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY 1

In an excellent closely contested game Tim Hicks put Town ahead on 35'. Having instigated the move when he headed out from defence to Cotterrall who made ground and found Easter. The wing man saw his shot parried but Hicks, who had covered the length of the field was on hand to fire in the rebound.

Earlier Coates' volley hit the top of the bar for the Bluebirds and on the stroke of half time Elliot's headed effort also rattled the woodwork.

Left: Middle Men - Gregg Coombes closes down Tom Ramasut (Gareth Hughes)

With the game end to end County equalised with a cracking goal. As Hudgell got between defence and keeper to volley home Chris O'Sullivans powerful cross on 81' it looked as if the visitors would have a share of the spoils.

But Town had the final word. With the game in time added on sub Sacha Walters rose above the Bluebirds defence at the far post to power home Cotterrall's cross and give Town all three points.

Town: N. Thomas, Smothers, Brace(McDonald 90'), Coombes(Palmer 84'), Hancock, K Thomas, D Thomas, Hicks, Fowler, Easter(Walters 70'), Cotterrall.

Haverfordwest: Idzi, Evans, Jones, Gilderdale,Elliot, Thomas, Cattlin(O'Sullivan 46'),Ramasut, Christopher, Coates (Raymond72), Hudgell Subs not used: P Thomas,Briers.

In charge at Richmond was Dublin based referee Richie Winter (Gareth Hughes)

22.09.07 Airbus UK 0 Carmarthen Town 1

Late winners seem to be the hallmark of recent Town wins and none more so than in midweek against Haverfordwest County when super-sub Sacha Walters netted the winner in injury time.

Again on Saturday at Airbus UK Broughton it was Walters who came off the bench to hit a ferocious 25 yards strike that saw Town to take all three points to establish a positive seven match run.

With the Richmond Park outfit now up into joint second place with Rhyl FC Deryn Brace 's men are now only three points behind leaders Llanelli AFC and, perhaps more importantly at the moment, one point ahead of this week's visitors to Richmond Park current Champions The New Saints. The Richmond Park boss felt that the game will prove an important benchmark after an encouraging start to the season.

“It will be a good benchmark for us. Confidence is high and we are on a good run. I have always said that if we do things correctly at the start of the season then the TNS game will look after itself.

“They (TNS) are in great form at the moment and everyone is looking forward to the game.

But it took Town some time to get going at the Airfield as The Wingmakers proved stubborn opponents as Town produced an indifferent first half performance.

Tim Hicks latched on to a long ball that wrong footed the home defence just after the half hour but put his effort wide of a gaping goal. And minutes later the front man was on target but denied by Airbus keeper Andy Hughes on a couple of occasions as Town struggled to find some rhythm and momentum.

Liam Hancock at the centre of Town's defence had an outstanding afternoon and with Gareth Owen, the Airbus player / manager, galvanising the home attack and sending in some dangerous set pieces the hosts had the better of a goalless first period.

Following the break Hughes was again in action saving well with his feet from Danny Thomas whilst Neil Thomas performed the same trick at the other end to deny Paul Hallows.

Then with ten minutes gone coach Mark Aizlewood sent on Nicky Palmer and Walters who immediately gave EMC Services sponsored CarmarthenTown pace and direction as the visitors took control with some flowing football.

Hicks was joined on 72 minutes by Curtis McDonald and with the momentum building Owen, who was seemingly everywhere, produced a superb display to frustrate Town's efforst. With Hallows and sub Phil Molinuex launching the occasional counter the breakthrough remained illusive.

Then with five minutes remaining Paul Fowler fed Walters who flicked the ball up to evade his marker and with the ball dropping he hit a vicious right foot volley that struck the underside of the bar before crossing the line with Hicks burying the rebound for good measure.

Brace acknowledged that the strength of the Town bench had been influential.

“We made hard work of the game itself. After playing for an hour you're looking for a spark and Aiz made the decision to freshen things up and send the two on to give us a lift.

“Nicky and Sacha have come on and they haven't taken any time to control their own game and play themselves in, they just got straight into it.

“We started to get on top and Curtis came on to show what he could do. They all made a difference.

Commenting on individual performances Brace said:

“Liam (Hancock) has been great this season. In all fairness he didn't put a foot wrong today and on any other day I think Tim (Hicks) would have had a hat-trick.

“Neil (Thomas) made a great save at the start of the second half. He got down well to stop the shot when it was odds on to go in. He didn't have much to do but his concentration levels are high as he showed with his reaction to make the save when he was needed and give us a platform to go on and win it.

On Town's indifferent first half performance Brace felt that with a young squad this is something to be expected from time to time:

“At times we will be like that. Everyone will have to accept that young players are not as consistent in their decision making and will make wrong decisions at times.

“I thought the youngsters held up well and overall we came through it especially in the second half and in the last 30 -35 minutes we completely dominated.

But with Town having taken Airbus' unbeaten home record and established a run of seven games unbeaten Brace felt that honesty had contributed to a pleasing start to the season.

“Everyone has been honest with themselves. In performances we are not asking them to do anything they can't do. We're asking them to do the basics but to do them very very well.

“I don't think any individual player has set the world alight but they are all playing well which is a bonus. When you get eight or nine players playing well you are difficult to beat.

“We're not getting carried away. We have some strength in depth in the squad and everyone knows that the four players who are not in the starting line up are good enough to get into most Welsh Premier sides so that give's us a good sort of pressure to play well.

Airbus :Hughes, Edwards, Hopkins, Desormaux, Sudlow, Allan, Wright (Molinuex 63'), Owen, Hallows, McIntosh (Connolly 86'), Hooley (Hughes 28'), Not used Darlington & Stockton.

Town: Thomas, Smothers, Brace, Coombes (Palmer 55'), Hancock, C Thomas, D Thomas (McDonald 71'), Hicks, Fowler, Easter (Walters 55'), Cotterrall.

Att 102 Referee D Adie

29.09.07 Carmarthen Town 0 The New Saints 3

A disastrous start to the second half saw Carmarthen Town’s encouraging start to the season brought to an end. Three goals within ten minutes of the restart by The New Saints ended Town’s hopes of gaining anything from last year’s champions.

Both sides entered this game in a rich vein of form and began the game in an attacking mode. The Oswestry based visitors were soon passing the ball with aplomb around Richmond Park but Town proved to be very competitive and it was the EMC Services sponsored home side who created the best opening of the first half. Tim Hicks, who battled throughout the game, was denied by the legs of Paul Harrison in the visitor’s goal, while Gregg Coombes follow up effort was cleared by the retreating defence.

Neil Thomas the Town keeper had to be alert on several occasions to ensure that the home side did not concede but was not really tested by the Saint’s forwards. Their most influential player of the first half was left back Chris King who instigated a number of attacks from his role along the left flank.

The first half ended in stalemate as both teams failed to capitalize on some entertaining football but the initial period of the second half proved to be a different story.
Mark Aizlewood in his summing up of the game stated:

“ We showed a complete lack of concentration at the start of the second half which in reality cost us the game. We had followed our game plan to the letter in the first half but failed to perform when necessary. “

The full time outfit from mid Wales began the second half on fire. A long ball from midfield by John Leah found Michael Wilde free in the Town box and he was able to volley the ball across Thomas in the home goal and in to the back of the net to give the visitors the lead.

In their next attack Town conceded a free kick thirty yards from goal and even though the ball was headed clear by Liam Hancock, the ball was immediately returned into the box where Steve Beck had been left unattended and he capitalized on the situation to score the second goal.

The situation was exacerbated by Chris King as within five minutes as he was able to score a third goal for the Saints. He found space behind the Town defence to drill the ball past Thomas.

Town introduced all three substitutes after the conceding of these three goals but it was the visitors who looked more like scoring and Thomas was forced to make several fine saves to deny them a fourth goal.

Deryn Brace , the Town manager was understandably disappointed after the game.

“We had performed so well in the first half and stood a good chance of getting something from the game. Unfortunately we did not sustain our levels of concentration after the break and were made to pay for it. The important thing now is that we learn from the situation and do not allow it to happen again.

"On Tuesday we face a very important game against Connah’s Quay Nomads in the FWA Premier Cup. We have to absorb the lessons we were taught today and ensure that we do not make the same mistakes again.”

Town: Thomas N; Hughes, Brace, Coombes, Hancock, Thomas C, Palmer, Hicks, Fowler, Easter, Cotterall subs Mc Donald, Walters, Thomas D.

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