Carmarthen home to Welshpool
Carmarthen Town host Technogroup Welshpool in the Welsh Premier League at Richmond Park at 2.30pm this afternoon.
Last week, Carmarthen earned a 0-0 draw away at Newtown.
Full credit to Newtown for their hard work in getting the game on following overnight snow and frost. But with both sides fielding new signings, Paul Roberts for the Robins and defender Dale Griffiths for Town, the game was stifled somewhat by the difficult surface.
Despite plenty of energy and endeavour quality was in short supply but both sides will be pleased not to have conceded and Town remain undefeated away from home since the end of August.
Town's Assistant Manager Mattie Davies summed up the day - "We kept a clean sheet which is always a positive to take out of any game. But it was just the quality in the final third that was disappointing more than anything. We got into good positions to deliver the ball into the box but unfortunately they didn't pay off and clear cut chances were not created.
"Of course you would like to get three points every week. But, considering the conditions we will take the point. It is disappointing but, Newtown were just below us, they remain below us and they haven't closed the gap."
Adam Worton and Neil Mitchell provided early momentum for the hosts who had the first real chance of the game on the twenty-minute mark when Dylan Blain was put through on goal only to lose out in the one-on-one with Town keeper Neil Thomas.
Paul Fowler and Mark Pritchard linked well to set Nathan Cotterrall free down the left for Town but a poor delivery into the box saw the threat fizzle out with five minutes of the half remaining.
Retaining possession Town continued to press. Pritchard broke through the Robins’ back line but with the ball bobbling free of his control the keeper committed to the clearance. Pritchard salvaging the situation well and, with Dave Roberts stranded, the front man lobbed the keeper only to see his well weighted effort frustratingly denied by the bar.
Right on the stroke of half time Tim Hicks and Richard Hughes forced a corner on the right and Roberts again denied Town as he clawed away Pritchard’s header that was destined for the top back corner of the goal.
A neutral supporter might well have been forgiven for staying in the clubhouse following the break. But with Town forcing a series of early corners Roberts continued to frustrate Town’s efforts taking the high ball well despite a crowded box.
Worton broke dangerously down the right and with the ball deflected for a corner defender Damien Daniels put a good chance over before Roberts also squandered an effort after Worton had dispossessed Cotterrall on the edge of the box.
Around the hour mark both sides made changes as they looked for fresh impetus to break the deadlock. Robins' youngster Jamie Breeze made his presence felt with several penetrating runs down the flank and Danny Thomas provided options in the middle for Town when he replaced Dyfan Pierce with Neil Smothers dropping to cover the left back berth.
Hicks was muscled off the ball by two defenders when well placed in front of goal and Paul Fowler’s drive from a Chris Thomas corner was deflected wide of the target as a final finish remained elusive.
But with a goal now likely to prove a winner there were late chances at both ends as Breeze’s incisive running continued to provide a real threat for the Robins. Nicky Palmer, when he replaced Town’s debutant defender for the final fifteen minutes, supplied additional drive and energy in the middle. Seeing one effort held well a second, minutes later, just scraped narrowly wide of the far upright.
But with stalemate the outcome Town maintained the advantage over the hosts with a share of the spoils a fair reflection of the game.
Newtown AFC: Roberts, C Williams, Daniels, Hutchinson, Cadwallader, Thomas, Worton, Blain (Russell 88'), Roberts (Webb 82'), Stephens, Mitchell (Breeze 58') Subs not used: James, McFadden.
Town: N Thomas, R Hughes, Griffiths (Palmer 75'), Piece (D Thomas 64'), Cronin, C Thomas, Smothers, Hicks, Fowler, Pritchard (C Hughes 58'), Cotterrall. Attendance: 205 Referee: Wayne Tregonning.
Last week, Carmarthen earned a 0-0 draw away at Newtown.
Full credit to Newtown for their hard work in getting the game on following overnight snow and frost. But with both sides fielding new signings, Paul Roberts for the Robins and defender Dale Griffiths for Town, the game was stifled somewhat by the difficult surface.
Despite plenty of energy and endeavour quality was in short supply but both sides will be pleased not to have conceded and Town remain undefeated away from home since the end of August.
Town's Assistant Manager Mattie Davies summed up the day - "We kept a clean sheet which is always a positive to take out of any game. But it was just the quality in the final third that was disappointing more than anything. We got into good positions to deliver the ball into the box but unfortunately they didn't pay off and clear cut chances were not created.
"Of course you would like to get three points every week. But, considering the conditions we will take the point. It is disappointing but, Newtown were just below us, they remain below us and they haven't closed the gap."
Adam Worton and Neil Mitchell provided early momentum for the hosts who had the first real chance of the game on the twenty-minute mark when Dylan Blain was put through on goal only to lose out in the one-on-one with Town keeper Neil Thomas.
Paul Fowler and Mark Pritchard linked well to set Nathan Cotterrall free down the left for Town but a poor delivery into the box saw the threat fizzle out with five minutes of the half remaining.
Retaining possession Town continued to press. Pritchard broke through the Robins’ back line but with the ball bobbling free of his control the keeper committed to the clearance. Pritchard salvaging the situation well and, with Dave Roberts stranded, the front man lobbed the keeper only to see his well weighted effort frustratingly denied by the bar.
Right on the stroke of half time Tim Hicks and Richard Hughes forced a corner on the right and Roberts again denied Town as he clawed away Pritchard’s header that was destined for the top back corner of the goal.
A neutral supporter might well have been forgiven for staying in the clubhouse following the break. But with Town forcing a series of early corners Roberts continued to frustrate Town’s efforts taking the high ball well despite a crowded box.
Worton broke dangerously down the right and with the ball deflected for a corner defender Damien Daniels put a good chance over before Roberts also squandered an effort after Worton had dispossessed Cotterrall on the edge of the box.
Around the hour mark both sides made changes as they looked for fresh impetus to break the deadlock. Robins' youngster Jamie Breeze made his presence felt with several penetrating runs down the flank and Danny Thomas provided options in the middle for Town when he replaced Dyfan Pierce with Neil Smothers dropping to cover the left back berth.
Hicks was muscled off the ball by two defenders when well placed in front of goal and Paul Fowler’s drive from a Chris Thomas corner was deflected wide of the target as a final finish remained elusive.
But with a goal now likely to prove a winner there were late chances at both ends as Breeze’s incisive running continued to provide a real threat for the Robins. Nicky Palmer, when he replaced Town’s debutant defender for the final fifteen minutes, supplied additional drive and energy in the middle. Seeing one effort held well a second, minutes later, just scraped narrowly wide of the far upright.
But with stalemate the outcome Town maintained the advantage over the hosts with a share of the spoils a fair reflection of the game.
Newtown AFC: Roberts, C Williams, Daniels, Hutchinson, Cadwallader, Thomas, Worton, Blain (Russell 88'), Roberts (Webb 82'), Stephens, Mitchell (Breeze 58') Subs not used: James, McFadden.
Town: N Thomas, R Hughes, Griffiths (Palmer 75'), Piece (D Thomas 64'), Cronin, C Thomas, Smothers, Hicks, Fowler, Pritchard (C Hughes 58'), Cotterrall. Attendance: 205 Referee: Wayne Tregonning.
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