Sport
TOWN GET NEW SEASON UNDERWAY WITH WIN
Briton Ferry Llansawel 2
Carmarthen Town 4
CARMARTHEN opened their pre-season programme against Welsh League side Briton Ferry whose spirited performance presented a suitably stern challenge for a Town squad that comprised mostly of last season’s regulars plus new signings Mark Jones and Dan Sheehan together with a number of players on trial.
From the outset the game quickly developed into an open end-to-end affair although neither side seemed to possess sufficient flair and vision to breach the opposing defence or seriously test the respective goalkeepers.
But gradually the Old Gold began to enjoy a greater share of possession and territorial advantage and after 21 minutes they eventually produced the first significant chance of the game. Chris Ham pounced on a weak back header by defender Josh Pike and he nodded the ball over ‘keeper Luke Probert as he advanced from his goal only to see it strike the post and bounce safely away.
Then on 26 minutes trialist Rhodri Morgan broke forward down the left flank and from the corner of the penalty area he released a crisp angled drive that drew an impressive full-length save from Probert. However in the 35th minute town’s persistence was rewarded when Liam Thomas raced through the centre to reach a long pass from defence and forced Probert into a hurried clearance that went straight to Chris Hartland who, after neatly slipping past a defender, drilled the ball into the net from close range.
Moments later the Old Gold increased their lead – Hartland picked up a poor clearance following his own corner-kick and from the edge of the penalty area he struck a delightful curling shot into the far top corner of the goal leaving Probert well beaten.
Briton Ferry, stung by that further setback, at last fashioned their first decent scoring opportunity on 42 minutes when Gavin Jones sent a searching cross deep into the penalty area only for Sam Baker to direct his close-range diving header just wide of the post.
After the interval the Welsh League side continued to play with more adventure whilst Town, having made multiple substitutions both at the re-start and shortly afterwards, settled into their reorganised formation, and on 56 minutes Briton Ferry went close to reducing the deficit when former Old Gold defender Ian Hillier rose highest in the packed goalmouth to reach Pike’s corner but directed his header narrowly over the bar.
Yet they were successful in the 72nd minute following a remarkable few moments of goalmouth activity – twice in quick succession Town’s substitute goalkeeper, trialist James Kirkwood, produced outstanding flying saves to block fiercely struck long-range drives but he was unable to resist for a third time as the rebound fell nicely for Ryan Griffiths who rifled the ball home from 15 yards.
Carmarthen’s response was decisive and immediate. Lewis Harling cut inside from the left flank, drifted effortlessly past two defenders and from 25 yards curled the ball sweetly beyond the reach of substitute keeper Kerry Nicholas and into the roof of the net.
Consistent with the emerging pattern of the second-half Briton Ferry soon struck back. On 79 minutes Lee John fired a 20 yard effort that drew another stunning save from Kirkwood but only moments later Steve Davey, with a powerful free-kick from the edge of the penalty area, reduced Town’s lead once more.
But that disappointment simply inspired the Old Gold to press forward with even greater intent during the closing stages and in the 89th minute they restored their two-goal advantage when Rhodri Morgan, just outside the penalty area, with dogged determination won the ball off a defender then slid a neat pass through to Mark Jones who confidently slotted home past Nicholas from 12 yards.
Team:
Lee Idzi (sub James Kirkwood 60); Dan Sheehan; Chris Thomas (sub Craig Hanford 46); Luke Jones (sub Chris Thomas 52); Jordan Knott (sub Kyle Bassett 46); Chris Ham (sub John Lumb 52); Ceri Morgan (sub Lewis Harling 46); Dwaine Bailey (sub Luke Cummings 48); Rhodri Morgan; Liam Thomas (sub Mark Jones 46); Chris Hartland;
Sport
Clarby stand in the way of Goodwick double
Two thrilling semi finals last weekend has meant Goodwick United and Clarbeston Road will meet in the senior cup final this coming Saturday.
Goodwick faced Pennar Robins in their semi final who pushed the champions very hard. Carl Vincent will be disappointed but proud of the Robins as they gave a great account of themselves. However in the end Goodwick’s quality and experience just was too much for Vincent’s team.
The other semi was an absolute thriller, and after a nail biting game Matthew Fox’ Clarby progressed to the final. A offside call has sparked a lot of debate around the county. However it seems that linesman Jenkins made an absolute perfect call so credit to him for that.
Both teams would have wanted a nice week of preparation for the final, maybe without any games to play. Unfortunately this hasn’t been possible due to the fixture backlog and both outfits have played already this week.
Goodwick will be favourites of course, however if anyone can upset the apple cart Saturday it’s this Clarbeston Road team. Fox’ outfit have impressed over and over this season. Without too much pressure on them, they are in a good place going into the final.
The double at one staged looked like the minimum Goodwick would be aiming for this season. However losses in other cup competitions, means its Senior Cup success or just the league title for the outstanding team of the season. Oddly becoming champions with no cup success maybe seen as a huge disappointment considering their dominance this season. A unique pressure. However if anyone can handle that pressure it’s O’Sullivans outfit.
Sport
Swifts eyes on double.
Monkton Swifts reserves have blown away the second division this season and now have the double in their sights. They face Merlins Bridge reserves in the semi final of the second division cup and lived up to their favourites tag.
Swifts won comfortably with key player Butland getting three assists and Josh Sture grabbing a brace. Waterman and Rhys Sture added the other goals as outstanding Monkton won 4-0.
Herbrandston and Johnston played in the other semi final and this was a much harder fixture to call. The promoted Herbie a younger and perhaps less physical outfit in comparison to the Tigers. Johnston quickly took control of the game when they found themselves two up after just 29 minutes.
However when Scott Murray was shown a red card just eight minutes later, Herbie would have been confident of staging a comeback. Despite being a man light, Johnston held Herbie until the final minute of the 90, when Alex Ouzman gave Herbie late hope. The Tigers held firm however and progress to the final where they will be underdogs. A tag that I’m sure the players and manager Steven Allen won’t mind too much.
Sport
Tenby hit five against downbeat Bridge
On a beautiful day in Tenby, the hosts welcomed Merlins Bridge to The Clicketts, fresh from their West Wales semi final defeat midweek.
The Bridge squad was missing some influential players after picking up some injuries and the visiting team asked questions over the fitness of the pitch, which, according to the Bridge management, was too hard.
The referee waved these away and the game was on, with the Tenby squad clearly thinking they were already in the heads of the Bridge team.
Almost straight from Kick off Tenby set their stall out with some great attacking play, which Jerome Mansbridge benefitted from in just the second minute putting the home team ahead.
The bridge players weren’t at the races and Tenby capitalised scoring a further 4 first half goals, including a Mansbridge hat trick, leaving the away team bewildered and 5-0 down at half time.
What could have been a hugely embarrassing defeat for a team that harboured title hopes at the beginning of the season, turned around somewhat at half time, when Dai Davies, the club captain, almost singlehandedly dragged them to a much higher level in the second half, ensuring his players kept their discipline and worked hard against a very good Tenby team. Undoubtedly Merlin’s Bridge were the better team in the second period, but the damage had already been done in the first half, and despite Bridges best efforts, the score remained 5-0 to the home team.
In a game which saw Tenby jump to 4th in the league, they can be hugely proud of their season and will look to build on that for their next in Division one.
A fantastic game on a beautiful day with a good home crowd watching, the team from the Clicketts will be justifiably happy with their afternoons work.
Tenby 5-0 Merlins Bridge.
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