06.09.09 CARMARTHEN TOWN 0 ABERYSTWYTH TOWN 0

Town secured their first point of the season against West Wales rivals Aberystwyth Town and despite playing against ten men were unlucky not to convert their numerical superiority into points.

With Dodds and Cotterrrall absent through injury and unavailability Town welcomed back Richard Hughes into the starting line up with the returning Craig Hughes featuring from the bench.

But despite Roberts creating problems for the Aber defence it was the visitors who came nearest to breaking the deadlock when Adam James’ superb 25 yard shot rocked Town’s cross bar. Then with Roberts clearing a header from a corner off Town’s line keeper Neil Thomas also proved Town’s first half saviour when he denied Sherborn’s spot kick after Smothers was adjudged to have pulled down Bowen in the box.

Following the break injury saw referee Brian James replaced by colleague Paul Thomas. Having been released down the flank Sherborn blazed over an excellent opportunity for the Seasiders and with Sion James dismissed for a second yellow, having brought down Fowler on the edge of the box, Town piled on the pressure.

With second half substitute Hughes becaming influential his 76th minute effort, aided and abetted by fellow sub Danny Thomas, hit the woodwork before later being denied by a fine save from Cann.

Despite defending deeply Aber proved sharp on the break. But Town could not quite break down some dogged defending. Fowler’s cross shot found the woodwork, with Hughes squandering the rebound, and with Palmer’s late shot deflected over Town were forced to settle for a share of the points.

With something to show for his team's endevours Town manager Deryn Brace praised his players efforts.

“We've hit the woodwork five times in our last two games which shows the kind of luck we are experiencing at the moment. I know we played a team down to ten men for a large percentage of the second half, but sides prepare for such situations these days and adapt to the circumstances. Aberystwyth were able to defend in depth while we didn't have any luck in front of goal.”

Town : N Thomas, Williams (D Thomas 77'), Palmer, Smothers, Hughes, C Thomas, Roberts, Hanford, Fowler, Pritchard (Hughes 46'), O’Sullivan. Sub not used: Mark Crutch.

Aberystwyth Town: Cann, S James, G Hughes, Thomas, Edwards, Waters, Kellaway, Morgan, Bowen, Sherbon, James. Subs not used: Evans, Gl Hughes, S Bowen, Britten, Davies.

Attendance: 451 Referee: Brian James

12.09.09 WELSHPOOL 1 CARMARTHEN TOWN 3

Having not recorded a win at Maesydre since April 1998 and yet to secure the first three points of the season Town put both disappointments behind them with a convincing win over the mid Wales Lillywhites. A brace by Danny Thomas with Sacha Walters adding a third ensured a confidence boosting first league win that Town’s form had threatened over recent weeks. In reality having dominated for most of the match the score line could quite easily have been greater.

With Nicky Palmer denied a penalty shout as he was brought down in the opening minutes Stuart Roberts got to the bye line for Thomas to pounce on his cross and score on the six minute mark. Playing down the slope Town continued in a positive mood with Walters denied a spectacular goal by a fine save from keeper Jack Cudworth, who tipped his shot onto the bar. Roberts should have doubled the advantage but headed Craig Hughes’ superb cross by over and before creating a chance for Palmer who was just unable to apply the final touch.

Thomas finally added a second with six minutes of the half remaining. Running on to a long ball he turned his marker superbly before chipping over the advancing Cudworth. On the stroke of half time Walters added a third profiting from another fine run by Roberts. For a team that had found scoring difficult at the start of the season the game looked all but over as a competition before the break.

Following the restart sloppy defending gave Pool a glimmer of hope when Mike Cronshaw was given acres of space and confidently beat Neil Thomas who had been virtually redundant in the visiting goal. With their tails up Welshpool continued to press only to be denied by the post following a melee in the Carmarthen penalty box.

Town played their way back into the game and again began to create chances. The introduction of Mark Dodds steadied the back line allowing Paul Fowler and Palmer to regain mid-field dominance. Hughes was denied by a goal line clearance and Thomas had chances to complete his hat trick. Cudworth’s brilliantly save denied Palmer bursting run on goal whilst Walters’ penalty shout, having been impeded in the box, was waved away without an addition to the score-line.

Manager Deryn Brace, who made his first appearance of he season from the bench, was naturally upbeat after the game. “We showed a lot of character today after what has been a difficult period. All the lads performed really well in what were very hot conditions. Danny showed how good a finisher he is with his two goals but really we should have scored more”.

Town : N Thomas, R Hughes, Smothers (Dodds 62'), Palmer, Handford, K Thomas, D Thomas, Walters (Brace 90'), Fowler, C Hughes, Roberts (Hicks 78').

Welshpool : Cudworth, Doran, Boardman (Cronshaw 30'), Pritchard, Peate, Hughes, Williams (Edwards 85'), Harris, Davies (Edwards 38'), Lamb, Beattie.

12.09.09 CARMARTHEN TOWN 1 PRESTATYN TOWN 2

Carmarthen Town’s mini revival came to an end with a disappointing home defeat to the North Wales coast side . A mistake in midfield by the home side allowed Ian Griffiths to dispossess Tim Hicks before bursting through to beat Neil Thomas for the second and decisive goal near the hour mark.

The game started in a positive manner with both sides prepared to attack. Both Stuart Roberts on the left and Sacha Walters on the right made progress for the Richmond Park side. But unfortunately the hosts failed to convert efforts into chances.

Town made two big shouts for penalties as firstly Danny Thomas pressurised the defence and secondly when Craig Hughes had a shot charged down. Prestatyn will also feel that they too should have had a spot kick as Ian Griffiths was dispossessed by the home defence as he prepared to shoot .

But Griffiths had his revenge in the 28th minute when he won possession and squared the ball for Andy Moran to net from 15 yards. The Seasiders could have gone further ahead as Griffiths was denied by Neil Thomas in the home goal. But it only took Town twelve minutes to find the equaliser and it was a superb effort when it came.

A headed clearance by the visiting defenders was met on the volley by Paul Fowler who saw his superb effort hit the back of the net despite the acrobatics of Jon Hill-Dunt the Prestatyn goalkeeper.

Town could have taken the lead before the half time break as Roberts was denied by another fine save by Hill-Dunt and then as they forced a succession of fruitless corners.

The home side could have found themselves trailing early in the second half when Moran inexplicably shot over from six yards. But it was the home side who came nearest to scoring when Hughes was denied by another brilliant save by Hill-Dunt. Then with Hughes’s header destined for the top corner the keeper somehow managed to flick the ball over the bar.

But it was the visitors who eventually went ahead when Griffiths scored what proved to be the winning goal. With Town's defence failing to clear the ball they were punished when Hicks, with little support from his defence, was caught in possession and Griffiths fired past Thomas.

Deryn Brace sent Nathan Cotterrall and Mark Pritchard into the fray on the hour. Despite some promising runs down the left by Cotterrall Town failed to create clear cut chances. Town piled on the pressure with Chris Thomas making several fine runs down the right but again the home side failed to profits as the visitors claimed the points.

Brace was understandably disappointed . “We conceded two very poor goals from a defensive viewpoint and you cannot to afford to that at this standard. I must also credit Prestatyn for their application. They are on a good run at present which showed in their confident performance.”

Town : Thomas (N), Thomas (C), Dodds (capt), Hughes (R), Hanford, Walters, Fowler, Hicks, Roberts, Hughes (C), Thomas (D). Subs: Cotterrall, Smothers, Pritchard.

22.09.09 CARMARTHEN TOWN 2 NEATH FC 3
Despite being in the lead on two occasions lapses in defence ensured that Carmarthen Town will not qualify for the next round of the Loosemores Challenge Cup.

Tim Hicks scored the opening goal after ten minutes when he latched on to a superb through ball by Nathan Cotterrall to slot the ball past the advancing Wyn Walters. Neath quilckly equalised as Carl Shaw benfitted from the slackness in the home defence to shoot past Neil Thomas. Sacha Walters then restored the Old Gold's lead just before the break with a superb effort fform 25 yards which flew in to the back of the net.

In the second half two goals in quick succession just after the hour ended any hope of progress for Town. Sub Robert Spendiff scoring spectacularly from 30 yards before Ian Hillier headed home from a corner minutes later.

Town: N Thomas, R Hughes, Smothers (Palmer 68'), Pierce, Hanford, C Thomas, Walters, Hicks, Fowler, Pritchard (D Thomas 80'), Cotterrall. Sub not used: Dodds.

Neath FC: Walters, Castan, Folland, Hillier, Hancock, Evans, Howard, Stiens (Spendiff 46'), Harris (D Evans 86'), Ingram, Shaw (Cronin 65'). Subs not used:   Morgan, Davey. Attendance: 137  Referee: Ceri Richards

26.09.09 CAERSWS FC 0 CARMARTHEN TOWN 3

Town cruised to a comfortable and much needed win that sees the Richmond Park outfit lift themselves out of the bottom pack to twelfth place.

Having won the last five meetings at the Recreation Ground Town set course for a sixth win early when Neil Smothers, operating in mid-field, put the visitors ahead on eight minutes. Danny Thomas' tigerish persistence had won the ball on the flank and with the front man's low cross in-front of goal cleverly stepped over by Craig Hughes Smothers hammered it in from the edge of the box to give Town the perfect start.

With Paul Fowler driving into the box and the forwards having some success raiding down the right Town took control. Lee Jenkins and Chris Melia looked lively for the hosts but with Town’s back line looking disciplined and tight Mark Dodds and Craig Hanford were in miserly mood and dealt with the threat comfortably.

Despite keeper Neil Thomas having very little to do his distribution from hand ensured that Town maintained momentum from the back. Dyfan Pierce and Nathan Cotterrall linked well down the left as Town forced a series of corners that saw both Cotterrall and Thomas go very close. Then when Craig Hughes chested down a long ball for Thomas Dave Jones in the Caersws goal did well to hold the shot and had to be on his toes again to deny Cotterrall minutes later.

Four minutes before the break Town were rewarded for their endeavour when Pierce doubled the advantage. Sacha Waters and Thomas linked well and with Thomas fouled out on the left the resulting set piece was blocked before Pierce coolly volleyed home the rebound through a crowded box for a debut Town goal.

If four yellow cards reflected Caersws' first half frustrations two changes following the resumption saw the home side show more purpose as they enjoyed their best period of the game. Matt Prosser proved persistent as he tested Town’s resolve but, with little support, had little joy in finding a way through.

Town’s focus was evident with pairings on the flank, in midfield and defence working well to provide momentum and energy up front. Then on 56 minutes Town put the result beyond doubt. Fowler fed Hughes out wide and with the front-man’s deflected cross falling to Danny Thomas the outcome was sealed from close range.

Town could well have added to the tally. Chris Thomas’ ball found the busy Danny Thomas, whose distribution had been a constant feature, out wide. But with the Bluebirds’ defence scrambling the ball behind the resulting set piece saw Hughes denied by a fingertip save from Jones before somehow heading wide as Caersws struggled to clear the resulting corner.

With a quarter hour remaining manager Deryn Brace introduced all three subs to maintain the momentum as Town pushed for a fourth. Despite Cotterrall and Walters producing a couple of late penetrating runs to keep up the pressure the Bluebirds kept Town out but Brace was pleased with what he thought was a disciplined and focused performance.

He told Y Dre ar Y We. "Today was a solid win and a sound performance. Everybody played well. They concentrated for ninety minutes and their individual performances were spot on with no mistakes. In almost every game we’ve played this season mistakes have cost us dearly. But today we didn’t do anything spectacular we got the basics right and I can’t really remember Caersws having a shot on goal".

"The two goals in the first half were good reward for our effort and we fully deserved them. Second half we expected the home side to throw something at us and they did change their system. But once we worked it out and settled down Danny's popped up with the all-important third goal. Then it was about us doing the right things".

“With Craig (Hanford) and Doddsy we tried to simplify their roles to marking the centre forwards, winning the ball and sending it back to where it came from and they did it well. With Paul (Fowler) and Smudger in midfield it was a case of Smudger having an opportunity as Nicky Palmer was unwell and he’s taken that opportunity well. His pairing with Paul today looked totally solid.

“The pairings are working together. It’s something we have spoken about. Nathan Cotterrall has been as good as at anytime at the club and Sacha is finding his feet. In all fairness to Dyfan at the moment its early days. We’ve been looking for a left back for a while and we’ve tried a number of people. So the position is there for him to win if he wants. At the moment its encouraging”.

"The two front-runners for them caused us problems. They worked their socks off and made it difficult and challenged everything that came up to them and tried to make the most of it. But we managed to keep them under wraps and keep a clean sheet".

Caersws FC: Jones, Roberts, Holt, Taylor (Smith 45'), Clarke, Jones (Mansell 65'), L Jenkins, Davies (C Jenkins 45'), Prosser, Melia, Lewis.

Town: N Thomas, Dodds, Pierce, Smothers, Hanford, C Thomas, D Thomas (Pritchard 79'), Walters, Fowler (Palmer 75'), C Hughes (Hicks 79'), Cotterrall. Attendance: 117 Referee: Mark Whitby

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