FIVE-STAR SHOW FROM OLD GOLD
CARMARTHEN Town put the disappointment of defeat against Barry Town in their last JD Cymru South League match behind them with this crushing victory over Ynyshir in this first meeting between the clubs.
The Old Gold put the Rhondda hosts under pressure from the start with a series of penetrating attacks.
As early as the first minute Greg Walters, in his own half, sent a superb pass through to Will Rickard and he in turn set Noah Daley racing clear into the penalty area. But while his subtle lofted shot defeated goalkeeper Jonny Howe, the ball flew narrowly over the bar.
Then Bradley Gibbings sprinted along the right flank and threaded the ball to Liam Thomas just inside the area, but Town’s all-time top scorer saw his drive denied by Howe.
Town continued to dominate the early stages of the game and, almost predictably, they soon took the lead.
In the 13th minute Thomas, from the halfway line, sent a fine pass to Rickard who in turn fed the ball on to Gibbings. The influential midfielder finished this delightful move by drilling a 15-yard shot beyond Howe’s reach and into the back of the net.
While the Old Gold maintained their hold of the game, for a short spell they seemed unable to test the Ynyshir defence in any meaningful way with both teams too often guilty of misplacing passes.
However, that all changed after 37 minutes. A poor back pass by a defender forced Howe into making a hurried clearance. But Thomas, alert to the situation, blocked the ball and it rebounded into the net, much to his delight.
Encouraged by that success Carmarthen once more began to dominate play and on 43 minutes they extended their lead.
Mathew Delaney embarked on a determined run from halfway before sending a fine cross into the goalmouth where Thomas found space to drive the ball past Howe.
On the stroke of half-time, Gibbings made a strong run into the area and held off two defenders before releasing a fierce shot that Howe managed to turn around the post.
After the interval Ynyshir began positively and were soon rewarded
with an early goal. A smart move from the right wing opened up the Town defence and finished with Carter Campbell, in clear space on the edge of the area, firing the ball past goalkeeper Ifan Knott.
For a spell the Old Gold defence remained under a degree of pressure, but it coped capably and no further significant threats arose.
It was evident that Carmarthen were far more of a threat in sight of goal and, predictably, they extended their lead on 59 minutes as Delaney sent an inviting free-kick across the face of goal and Daley tapped the ball into the net at the far post.
Town went close to scoring again after 71 minutes. Adam John fired a free-kick deep into the goalmouth where Lee Surman saw his closerange header blocked on the line. The ball rebounded to Sam Parsons but his follow-up shot was also cleared.
However, the late frenzy of activity in and around the Albions penalty area did have a happy ending for the Old Gold. Deep into added time, another corner reached Scott Tancock at the far post and he headed the ball back into the packed goalmouth where Parsons forced it into the net.
Carmarthen, who are fourth in the table, host Afan Lido on Saturday.