OLD GOLD SUFFER AN EARLY SETBACK
CARMARTHEN Town began the new JD Cymru South season with a disappointing defeat at Cambrian & Clydach Vale.
The Old Gold produced a lacklustre performance in a bruising encounter which raises concerns about their prospects for the season ahead.
The opening stages were distinctly scrappy with neither side seemingly able to make much progress through the midfield, less still create any promising openings that might lead to scoring opportunities.
It was not until the 10th minute that the first notable chance arose when Trystan Jones, from near the left touchline, fired a free-kick to the edge of the penalty area, only for Lee Surman – who was under pressure from defenders – to send his header just wide of the near post.
But that was a relatively isolated moment of activity for Town’s supporters to savour as the formidable home defence proved difficult to penetrate.
Indeed, with the Old Gold defending in a similarly capable fashion the prospect of any goals seemed unlikely.
However, on 27 minutes the Old Gold once more went close from a set-piece when Jones sent his corner into the packed goalmouth and Surman leapt high above defenders, but directed his header narrowly beyond the post.
A further spell of fairly scrappy midfield activity ensued until the 39th minute when the home side took an unlikely lead. From a corner, striker Lee Eason emerged from a crowded goalmouth and stabbed the ball over the goal-line.
After the interval the hosts began brightly. On 50 minutes a cross from the left wing into the goalmouth reached Eason, in a worrying amount of space, who planted his close-range header over Ifan Knott, only for the young keeper to stretch high backwards and remarkably turn the ball over the bar.
Soon afterwards Town manager Mark Aizlewood made two substitutions in quick succession to bolster Town’s prospects of a goal.
On came Kaid Mohamed and Noah Daley – and their impact was immediate.
The Old Gold began to enjoy better possession in midfield and put noticeable pressure on the Cambrian defence.
On 64 minutes Jones fired in one of several corners which saw the ball hit the inside of the far post but bounce safely away.
Another corner led to a goal-line scramble but it was cleared away.
But this promising spell of pressure was brought to an abrupt end in the most unlikely circumstances.
In the 73rd minute Scott Tancock, Carmarthen’s experienced central defender, uncharacteristically lost possession of the ball.
It allowed Eason to race towards the area and strike a fierce drive that flew past Knott and into the roof of the net.
Town responded to that setback swiftly. On 79 minutes a smart break through the centre channel by Daley finished with him holding off two defenders before driving the ball into the roof of the net.
Then a fine pass set Daley charging forward again before he unleashed another fine shot that hit the post before the ball was cleared.
But with the Old Gold pouring forward in search of an equaliser, Cambrian had a chance of a breakaway. And on 86 minutes they managed to settle the result with a late goal from Jay Woodford.
Carmarthen are next in action on Saturday, August 13 when they welcome Swansea University to Richmond Park.