TOWN BOUNCE BACK IN STYLE
CARMARTHEN Town rediscovered the form and flair that had lifted them into the top six of JD Cymru South in this comprehensive victory over Undy Athletic.
It was a result made more remarkable in that Town were forced to play the last 55 minutes with only 10 men following the sending-off of Adam John.
From the start the Old Gold quickly put the visitors defence under pressure as they dominated possession and launched a series of attacks.
Initially, Athletic coped well. But on 15 minutes they were tested when Jordan Vickers made a surging run along the right before firing a long cross into the penalty area, where Liam Thomas – uncharacteristically – sent a weak shot straight at goalkeeper James Smallcombe.
Moments later Greg Walters sent a fine long pass through to Adam John just inside the area, and his powerful drive crashed against the foot of a post before Smallcombe claimed the ball.
Carmarthen maintained that momentum and, predictably, they took the lead in the 23rd minute.
Vickers, a constant threat with his movement and pace, raced along the right and delivered a fine pass to John on the corner of the area. He then sent the ball towards the far post where Walters directed his header into the back of the net.
Spurred by that success, the Old Gold continued to monopolise possession as they swarmed upfield. And on 33 minutes they doubled their lead when Kieran Howard’s corner found Sean Pemberton and he rose high above defenders to plant his firm header into the roof of the net.
At this stage Carmarthen seemed to be cruising to a comfortable victory. However, just two minutes later that notion was completely overturned.
John was fouled by Tom Wright close to halfway and the referee immediately awarded Town a free-kick for the infringement.
Yet John struck out at Wright and the referee promptly and predictably sent him off.
Immediately Undy began to make good use of their player advantage. Sam Broadribb broke clear of the Old Gold defence but Ifan Knott raced quickly out of his goal and robbed the ball from the striker.
After the interval Town created the first decent opportunity when Bradley Gibbings made a strong run through midfield before threading the ball to Walters, but he wasted the opportunity by firing just wide of the post.
Athletic were also creating chances and after 68 minutes Morgan Morris struck a 20-yard shot beyond Knott’s reach but narrowly outside the post.
Following several substitutions the Old Gold began to dominate once more and eventually they extended their lead. Vickers began the move, sprinting along the right before sending the ball across the edge of the area where Thomas timed his arrival to perfection and struck a fierce drive past Smallcombe and into the net.
Yet Carmarthen were still not satisfied and they searched for further goals. Jamie Rickard sent a fine pass to Noah Daley on the edge of the area, and while his powerful shot was blocked on the line by Smallcombe, Daley pounced on the rebound only for his follow-up shot to also be saved by the overworked keeper.
However, in the 89th minute Daley had another chance to defeat Smallcombe. Ben Steele saw his drive hit the bar and the ball rebounded conveniently for Daley, who at last managed to fire it into the net.
Town’s next fixture is at Risca on Saturday (2.30pm).
TEAM: I Knott; J Vickers (sub T Dyson 79); S Pemberton (sub L Surman 65); S Tancock; M Delaney; K Howard (sub T Jones 65); G Walters; J Rickard; A John; L Thomas (sub B Steele 83); B Gibbings (sub N Daley 84).