27.09.08 BANGOR CITY 2 CARMARTHEN TOWN 0

Not having lost at Farrar Road since 2003 Carmarthen Town viewed the North Wales venue as a happy hunting ground over recent years. But having conceded a goal within a minute and seeing Mark Dodds dismissed on the half hour mark the Old Gold were forced to relinquish their unbeaten League run and any thoughts of a positive result were quickly extinguished.

Immediately from the off a long cross into the box by Les Davies was allowed to bounce by the visiting defence and with Chris Sharp wrong-footing his marker the ball fell for Siôn Edwards to capitalise with a low shot past keeper Neil Thomas from fifteen yards.

With the hosts pressing Sharp lived up to his name and Town’s back line was given a hard time by the strong running Davies and his strike partner.

Making his first league start for Town Stuart Roberts was brought down in the box but all appeals for a penalty were turned away. But when Dodds was adjudged to have brought down Davies Town’s pivotal defender collected his second yellow and the first dismissal of his career.

A reshuffled Town did re-establish themselves. Manager Deryn Brace explained, “We went to 3-4-2. Nathan Cotterrall went to sweeper with Hughes and Liam Hancock as a central pairing. But we left two up front (Roberts and Danny Thomas) in the hope that they may be able to get us something”. And the tactic almost worked as a fine move down the right involving Sacha Walters and Roberts saw Nicky Palmer shoot inches over but it was Bangor who maintained the advantage at the break.

And Brace had no complaints regarding the talisman’s dismissal. “From where I was the two yellow cards looked fairly justified and with both decisions the referee had no choice. But what I would say is that we as individuals, as players, as a team, we have to become a little bit more street wise like the players we come up against”.

Following the resumption Bangor continued to hit long balls to their front runners. Davies made several runs which fortunately for Town resulted in some wayward finishing. But the big front man did connect with a fine glancing header to extend the Citizens’ lead on 54 minutes following a Marc Limbert free kick from the right.

Town created two good chances but both Roberts and substitute Jamal Easter were denied by Paul Smith in the home goal. But it was Thomas, Town’s custodian, who was busiest. Sharp came close just after the hour and the keeper did well saving with his feet to deny Davies a second and Bangor a third.

And the Richmond Park boss had no complaints regarding the result. “A couple of good stops from Neil Thomas and some poor finishing from Bangor ensured that we were still in the game and we actually did have opportunities ourselves. But had we snatched it we would not really have deserved it. Basically we got what we deserved so we can’t really complain in terms of the result.

“Obviously no one wants to lose but to lose two games in a week one in the cup, one in the League is very disappointing. There have been a few positives to take away but the main disappointment is that we have lost both games”.

 “But we have to put it in perspective. Its one game in the League so there’s no point pressing any panic buttons. What we have to do is to make sure that everyone realises the importance of every kick, every tackle, every run, every mistake. That’s what the two Bangor goals were; they were down to mistakes. It wasn’t the fact that we were down to ten men. We lost the game because we didn’t defend better in two situations. Obviously down to ten men meant that we weren’t really going to win it but we shouldn’t have lost it”.

“Every side will have a blip. What we need to do is to make sure that it doesn’t last very long and during that time to pick up as many points as possible”.

“Obviously we were hampered by Doddsy’s dismissal. To be 1-0 down away in Bangor and then have a man sent off very early we were always up against it.  Credit to the boys they tried hard to stay in the game for as long as possible”.

Lee Hudgell and Stuart Roberts both made their first League start for Town and the manager was pleased. “They actually did well. Leading on from the midweek game Hudgell was obviously a threat with his pace but down to ten men for an hour it is backs to the wall. Stuart Roberts did a lot of unselfish running and it was difficult because we were asking him to do more of a defensive role than the attacking role that he’s been brought to the club for. It was the same for Lee but they both stuck to the task and great credit to them.

Brace was also very positive regarding his team’s effort following Dodds’ dismissal. “Second half we regrouped. We gave the boys a game plan and they did it very well. Richard Hughes probably played his best game of the season for us on Tuesday against Haverfordwest and he produced it again up at Bangor which is a real positive”.

Bangor: Smith, Swanick, Hoy, Johnston, Brewerton, Seargeant (Killackey 80'),
Limbert, Walsh, Davies, Sharp (Iwan 85'), Edwards (Corrigan 75') Sub not used: Lloyd.

Town: N Thomas, Hughes, Hudgell, Palmer, Hancock, Dodds, D Thomas,
Roberts (Easter 65'), Fowler (Hicks 55'), Walters, Cotterrall. Sub not used: Brace.

Attendance: 427 Referee: Dean John

23.09.08 Loosemores Cup Group Game
CARMARTHEN TOWN 0 HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY 1

A solitary first half goal settled the outcome as Town conceded their unbeaten run.

With both managers fielding competitive sides County the only goal of the game came on eighteen minutes. With Town pressing County escaped with pace and sharp passing up the left touchline. Christopher drilled in a low cross and the unmarked Woodrow to hit home to score what proved ultimately to be the winner.

In the absence of Dodds, Hancock, Searle and Palmer, Coombes returned to the side at right back. Easter made a start up front to partner Roberts and Danny Thomas reverted to a mid-field role. With Hudgell also in the starting line up Brace's side had something of a rearranged look.

Following the break both sides continued to play at pace retaining possession well. Thomas beat out Christopher's angled shot and with time almost up Town came close at the other end.

But with both keepers largely untroubled the visitors enjoyed their first win of the competition. With both sides yet to play Aberystwyth in return matches the group remains evenly poised.

Town: N Thomas, Hughes, Hudgell, Easter, Smothers, Coombes, D Thomas, Roberts, Fowler (E Thomas  85'), Walters (Hicks 65'), Cotterrall. Subs not used: Brace, Squires (Y).
County: Idzi, Gilderdale, Hanford, Jarman (Briers 29'), Elliott, Michael, Blain, Ramasut (Webbe 58'), Woodrow, Christopher (Bowen 65'), Hartley.

Attendance: 149 Referee: Paul Thomas

19.09.08 Carmarthen Town 1 Port Talbot Town 1

In a game of three red cards Town maintained their unbeaten status but were forced to share the points with a competitive Port Talbot side. With both managers keeping faith with the same starting line-ups as the previous weekend the visitors enjoyed the greater part of first half possession with Lee Surman, Lee John and Martin Rose keeping the Steelmen ticking.

Tim Hicks' persistence won an early ball for Town but Danny Thomas' shot lacked power to test the keeper and Kristian Rogers held comfortably. And when Town did threaten in the final third over elaboration saw the danger crowded out by a solid Port Talbot defence that was quick to counter.

Referee Brian James waved away a vocal penalty appeal from the visitors protesting that Liam McCreesh had been fouled in the box and shortly after the probing midfielder tested Thomas with a curling snap shot that the keeper did well to tip over. At the other end the unmarked Mark Dodds should have done better at the back post following Nathan Cotterrall’s floated free kick on the half hour mark.

But with Town pressing Port Talbot broke quickly down the left to punish the hosts. With Rose prominent in a sharp flowing move his squared ball into the box was his hit home by the ever present McCreesh to give the Steelmen a deserved lead on 35 minutes.

The visitors could easily have doubled the tally immediately. Rose again broke through but his powerful drive was parried away by the ever alert Thomas and with Gareth Phillips strong and pivotal in midfield the visitors looked comfortable at the break.

With the half time team talk ringing in their ears Town suffered an early set-back as Nicky Palmer collected his second yellow and Town were reduced to ten men. The dismissal seemed to galvanise Brace's men and with Neil Smothers joining Paul Fowler in the middle Town played with more solidity, purpose and penetration as they went in search of an equaliser.

A double substitution with twenty minutes remaining saw Lee Hudgell replace Cotterrall on the flank and with Stuart Roberts replacing Hicks he joined Thomas up front to maintain Town's considerable momentum.

The changes had an immediate effect. The uncompromising Smothers won the ball well in the middle and having played out to Sacha Walters on the right the wingman drilled in a low cross and Thomas took his chance well to pull Town level on 72 minutes with his fourth strike of the current campaign.

With Town pressing for a winner a flurry of late cards saw the game lose its flow. Swansea City youngster James Burgin was dismissed with three minutes remaining and was quickly followed by hero turned villain McCreesh who was red carded right on the stroke of full time.

Coach Mark Aizlewood felt it was a difficult game to sum up.

"The very wise Lenny Lawrence once told me as a player that it’s important not to underestimate a home draw, especially if the circumstances of that home draw are difficult.

“That’s what happened tonight. We were second best first half and we were a goal down. After half time we went down to ten men and at that point you have to say it's a point gained. But we still had chances to win it".

"What we definitely had to do was not only change personnel but to change the system. We went to three at the back and pushed Neil(Smothers) into the middle. Essentially we went 3-3-3. At 1-0 down that was our only real option. You take that risk and tonight we made that decision and it worked".

"I felt it was a very difficult game to sum up. Whilst heaping praise on the players for their spirit and attitude and the turnaround they enforced on the opposition to get a result in the second half you’re also mindful of the first half performance".

"But overall you have to look at it as five league games played and eleven point gained. We set the players a target of twenty-two points from ten games. We're on target in all aspects - goals scored, goals conceded and in points. If we can get eleven points out of the next five games we will be in the top three. So, as Lenny Lawrence said, never underestimate a home draw".

Town: N Thomas, Hughes, Smothers, Palmer, Hancock, Dodds, D Thomas, Hicks (Roberts 69'), Fowler, Walters, Cotterrall(Hudgell 69') Sub not used: Brace.

Port Talbot : Rogers, de Vulgt, Walsh, Phillips, McCreesh, Surman, John (Fahiya 77'), Evans (Thompson 90'), Rose, Rees, Burgin Subs not used: Payne, Clement (Y). Referee Brian James. Attendance 385

13.09.08 Carmarthen Town 2 GAP Connah’s Quay 0

Carmarthen Town continued their unbeaten start to the season with what proved to be a convincing win over the revitalised Gap Connah’s Quay who, prior to this game, occupied third place in the Principality Welsh Premier League.

Two goals, one in each half from Danny Thomas and Nathan Cotterrall respectively, gave the Richmond Park outfit a well deserved win that sees them elevated to fourth position with a game in hand.

The visitors started strongly keeping Town on the defensive. And they could well have gone ahead in the ninth minute when a through ball from Liam Loughlin found Tommy Mutton who burst through the middle of the Town defence and fired from the edge of the box only to be denied by a superb save by Neil Thomas.

Thomas was also in uncompromising mood in the seventeenth minute when he beat out Phil Doran’s volley from Mutton’s cross after the forward, with 114 strikes to his name, had played a neat one, two with Loughlin.

Following the half hour Town gradually played their way into the game. Cotterrall became a major influence down the left hand side and it was one of his teasing crosses that found Tim Hicks well placed in space but fired straight at Chris Maxwell in the visiting goal. Another fine run and cross to the back post by Cotterrall saw Maxwell saving well, this time low to his left, from a Sacha Walters’ volley.

The defining moment of the half came in the forty fourth minute. Thomas held the ball up strongly and having played in Walters the wing man’s run down the left put the visitors under pressure and with his pull back from the bye line cleverly stepped over by Hicks Thomas converted well under pressure from the Quay defence.

As Town enjoyed a slim advantage at the break the visitors could feel aggrieved to go in behind as they had competed strongly throughout the half.

The second half saw the E H Factors sponsored home side dominate. Mark Dodds and Liam Hancock ensured that front men Mutton and Loughlin were denied any space while Nicky Palmer and Paul Fowler took control of the middle of the park.

It was Cotterrall again who created the first chance of the second period as his cross into the box bounced awkwardly for Hicks who failed to convert the chance.

The second goal did eventually arrive in the seventy fifth minute. A cleaver ball over the visiting defence from Lee Hudgell saw Cotterrall get to the ball milliseconds before Maxwell. The Town captain took the ball past the keeper and right footed the ball into an empty net to give Town a comfortable lead. With Maxwell protesting he had been fouled referee Phil Southall allowed the goal to stand and cautioned the keeper for his protestations.

With fitness levels clearly a major factor in the second period Town grew stronger as the game wore on. With the strong running of the Richmond Park outfit too much for the Deeside outfit Town ran out comfortable winners.

With Llanelli AFC winning away at Welshpool on Sunday Town now lie in fourth one place and one point ahead of their visitors.

Delighted with the win Brace conceded, “We had to work very hard to stay in the game initially as Connah’s Quay started strongly and we were indebted to Neil (Thomas) for some fine saves. From then on I felt we had their measure and deserved our two goals and the three points.

“Our pre season training programme appears to be paying off as we certainly finished the game strongly”

Carmarthen Town : N Thomas, Hughes, Smothers, Palmer, Hancock, Dodds, D Thomas (Brace 90'), Hicks (Hudgell 62'), Fowler, Walters (Roberts 74'), Cotterrall.

Gap Connahs Quay: Maxwell, Clarke, Bamber, Alston, Alston, Doran (Davies 62'), Forde (Garside 79'), Quinn, Mutton, Loughlin, Doran (McNutt 74').Sub not used: Pinch. Attendance:279 Referee:Phil Southall

Loosemores Cup
CARMARTHEN TOWN 1 ABERYSTWYTH TOWN 1

Having rested Fowler, Hughes and Walters manager Deryn Brace gave himself and Coombes the first start of the season. Town once again struck early on six minutes. Former Aber winger Roberts broke down the right and played in Hicks who's first time effort was blocked by James but with the ball falling to Danny Thomas he netted from six yards.

With both sides playing within themselves Aber forced a good period on the half hour. And when Town took one touch too many in a defensive position they were punished as Aber pinched possession and pulled level eight minutes before the break when Rob Evans netted through a crowded box.

On the stroke of half time Town came close to regaining the lead but Coombes' driven shot was touched over by Roberts.

The second half saw Hughes replace Cotterrall and both sides had periods of dominance as Aberystwyth changed their shape with James pushing up on the right.

Edwards replaced Rob Evans for Aber and a double substitution on the hour for Town saw Fowler & Walters replace Palmer & Brace. Evans just failed to connect to James' cross and Aber's confident appeal in the box was turned down by referee Kevin Morgan.

As the game continued to ebb and flow from one side to the other there were late chances. Roberts' header was cleared off the Aber line after Coombes and Walters had linked well whilst at the other end Graham Evans' snap shot flew inches wide.

But with both sides failing to find a winner Town Coach Mark Aizlewood agreed that the scoreline was a fair reflection of the game. "Yes a fair result. I thought we started OK but we conceded what was for us a sloppy goal. The good thing was I don't think they created anything against us."

"I never felt that we were going to lose the game but I'm not sure where we were going to win it from. I think our tempo and that extra 10% we needed, and I don't mean tackling harder or running further, I mean quickness of thought; I didn't think we had that and that's why we didn't win the game. "

"You have to use these games to give players game time. Hudgell, Coombes, Roberts and Bracy all did OK. It was difficult for them but you could see that they needed it as they were tired physically.

" We're unbeaten as it stands tonight and at the moment we're delighted with our start to the season.

Town: N Thomas, Brace (Walters 60'), Smothers, Palmer (Fowler 60'), Hancock, Coombes, D Thomas, Hicks, Hudgell, Roberts, Cotterrall (Hughes 46')

Aberystwyth: Roberts, S James,Thomas, Reynolds, R Evans (Edwards 54'), A Evans, Venables, G Evans, Bowen (D James 72), S Evans (Kellaway 82'). Referee Kevin Morgan.

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