WELSH CUP 1999CWPAN CYMRU 1999WELSH CUP 1999
Welsh Cup Semi-final Comments & Reports
CARMARTHEN TOWN 1 CONWY UNITED 0
Latham Park, Newtown - 17th. April 1999
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Jeff Thomas, Chairman "the off-field euphoria was as great as the performance on the pitch . The club is now in the final of the Welsh cup and probably in Europe - whereas six years ago it was on the verge of relegation to local league soccer. An unbelievable achievement for the club". |
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Alan Latham, Secretary " the greatest moment in the club's history. It was a battling gritty performance. The team played with heart to bring success to the club. I am very proud of them". |
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Tomi Morgan, Manager " the players wanted to win badly and the town and club can be proud of the way they played today. When I took over the aim was to secure our position in the league. However, we have the bonus of being in the final of the Welsh Cup and climbing the league towards a Premier position. An excellent, well deserved performance". |
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REPORTS
From WALES ON SUNDAY - 18th. April, 1999
RYAN'S EXPRESS A ROCKET INTO THE FINAL
CARMARTHEN TOWN 1 CONWY UNITED 0
A STUNNING GOAL from Wales B international Ryan Nicholls, a paler version of namesake Ryan Giggs's blinding match winner in mid-week for Manchester United, swept Carmarthen into the final of the Welsh Cup in this hairline semi-final battle at neutral Newtown.
Nicholls lone goal came as early as the 11th. Minute shortly after Conwy had lost skipper Gary Finley, taken off injured. Collecting a throw-in on the left Nicholls cut inside at pace and burst into the penalty area before hammering a scorching drive wide of goalkeeper Danny Emberton from 16 yards.
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Under the watchful eye of the Assistant Referee and 'Town' supporters - Conwy try to spring the off-side trap.
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Back came Conwy to give as good as and often better than they received, with James Mcllvogue and Danny McGoona bringing fine saves out of Carmarthen goalkeeper Robert Fitzgerald.
Conwy forced a succession of corners as they threatened to draw level, top scorer John Toner steering a fierce header from Donnelly's right-wing cross inches over the bar from 12 yards on 36 minutes.
Conwy had their anxious moments too, especially when Mark Phillips had to gather a far post header from Carmarthen's Meredith off the line on the hour.
David Barnhouse lived up to his name as he marshalled the Carmarthen defence to repel Conwy's storming raids, and they were indebted to goalkeeper Fitzgerald again when he threw himself at the feet of Toner to smother another dangerous moment.
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The Referee reaches for his pocket to add to his collection of names. |
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Another Smith might have rescued Conwy had he not put his 68th. Minute header over the top after Fitgerald had missed his attempted punch at Toner's 68th. Minute corner, but for all their late pressure Conwy finished with a disappointing blank sheet leaving unbowed Carmarthen to confront Inter Cable-Tel to decide the destiny of Wales's Premier Trophy
From WESTERN MAIL - 19th. April, 1999
Tommy Morgan's West Wales side pipped Conwy with a 1-0 win at Newtown courtesy of striker Ryan Nicholls's 11th-minute effort.
Wales B international Nicholls, who has been plagued by injuries in recent weeks, hammered a scorching 15-yard drive past 'keeper Danny Embleton.
Conwy piled on the pressure for much of the remainder of a tense encounter but found no way through a Carmarthen defence superbly marshalled by former Swansea City centre-half David Barnhouse
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"It was a proud moment for Carmarthen because we have never got anywhere near the final before," said club secretary Alan Latham. |
Malcolm Vaughan showing John Toner a clean pair of heels on one of his runs up-field during Saturday's semi-final
Pre-match summary
CARMARTHEN DREAM
EUROPEAN football could be on its way to Richmond Park next season if Carmarthen Town can kill off the Conwy challenge at Newtown tomorrow in the semi-finals of the Welsh Cup (2.30).
Victory over their League of Wales rivals will not only book Tomi Morgan's side a place in the Welsh Cup final, but could guarantee a first trip into Europe courtesy of the UEFA Cup.
With Inter CableTel, odds-on favourites to finish second in the league and qualify automatically for Europe, taking on Cwmbran in the other semi-final at Barry, a victory for Inter will secure European football for Carmarthen even if they lose the final.
A victory for Cwmbran would mean Carmarthen would have to win the final to clinch a place in the UEFA Cup even if Tony Willcox's side take advantage of their games in hand to climb above Aberystwyth into third place.
The third-place InterToto Cup spot would then go to the club finishing in fourth.
''It's an interesting scenario,'' explained manager Morgan. ''But one which Conwy are aware of as well.
''We've just got to make sure we reach the final first.''
Morgan, who won the Welsh Cup as a player with Llansanffraid, is cup-tied along with David Burrows and Richard Parker, while Steve Williams is suspended. There are also fitness doubts over Ryan Nicholls (knee), Steve Evans (ankle), Sion Meredith (ankle) and Paul Burrows (ankle).
Central defender Evans had a plaster cast removed this week on a badly bruised ankle, while Burrows saw a specialist on a similar injury which has kept him out for several weeks.
''It's a great time for the club,'' added Morgan. ''When I took over as manager my main priority was to keep the club in the league.
''But now we've got a great chance of finishing in the top eight, qualifying for next season's FAW Premier competition and still in the Welsh Cup with Europe at the end of it. I hope I can say the same thing next week.''
Morgan is not prepared to read anything into last week's 2-1 league win over Conwy at Richmond Park, especially as the visitors had most of the game.
''It will be a totally different ball game tomorrow,'' he added. ''With the tension that accompanies a semi-final, it all depends on how both sides respond to the occasion.
''But I'm sure the players who have got us this far won't let us down tomorrow. If they give 100 per cent and do their best then I'll have no qualms whatever the result.''
