OLD GOLD RUN FINALLY ENDED

CARMARTHEN Town saw their 17-match unbeaten run come to an end as they suffered a narrow defeat against JD Cymru South leaders Llantwit Major.

The loss in a keenly-fought contest also realistically ended any remote prospect of the Old Gold securing promotion at the end of the season.

The match began with a strong wind blowing along the length of the pitch and in the early stages both teams struggled to deal with these conditions as passes and crosses were frequently blown off course.

However, on 14 minutes the home side managed to breach Town’s defence when a fine pass from midfield set Connor Goldsworthy racing along the left flank to the corner of the penalty area.

He struck a crisp drive, only to see Carmarthen goalkeeper Ifan Knott turn the ball around the post.

It was not until the 16th minute that the Old Gold, facing the strong wind, produced their first notable goal threat when Liam Thomas raced to the edge of the area and from a sharp angle he fired the ball towards goal.

But before Ben Steele could react, goalkeeper Adam Caswell was quickly down to claim the ball.

Then Tom Walters released a speculative 20-yard volley that Knott, at full stretch, turned around the post.

However, in the 30th minute Llantwit took the lead when Goldsworthy was allowed to make a diagonal crossfield run to the corner of the area before dispatching a fierce low drive beyond Knott’s reach and into the far corner of the net.

Carmarthen, stunned by that setback, poured forward in search of an equaliser. On 44 minutes Greg Walters embarked on a typically determined run through midfield before sending the ball to Steele. He crossed it into the goalmouth where Tom Dyson sent his close-range header narrowly wide of the near post.

Moments later Adam John sent a corner kick into the goalmouth where Lee Surman, rising above defenders, sent his powerful header marginally too high.

After the interval Town immediately resumed their efforts to get back on level terms. On 55 minutes Thomas sent a fine crossfield pass into the area to Steele, who saw his 15-yard volley fly narrowly over the bar.

Then John, from the edge of the area, crossed the ball into the goalmouth, only for Surman to send his header fractionally over the bar.

The Old Gold were now enjoying a greater share of possession and playing far better than in the first half. But while they were putting the home defence under pressure, they were able to create just a few scoring chances.

And from those keeper Caswell was seriously tested just once, that from a 20-yard drive by John.

Carmarthen, commendably, maintained that pressure until the final whistle, but Llantwit, perhaps demonstrating why they have remained at or near the top of the league all season, remained unmoved.

Town’s next fixture is against old rivals Llanelli Town on Saturday (2.30pm) at Richmond Park.

TOWN: I Knott, J Vickers, S Hancock, L Surman, T Jones, T Dyson (sub N Daley 80), G Walters, J Rickard, A John (sub S Pemberton 86), B Steele (sub B Gibbins 64), L Thomas.