Carmarthen Town 2
Gap Connah’s Quay 3
AFTER several weeks of disappointing results, Town had looked to have rediscovered their impressive early season form in a blistering first 35 minutes in which they scored twice. However sloppy defending from crosses into the box allowed the visitors to score 3 soft goals and gain a lead which, despite Town’s best efforts, would never be relinquished. Town’s first came after good work from midfield duo Ceri Morgan and Lewis Harling freed Kyle Bassett who was brought down by a hefty challenge just outside the penalty area.
Paul Fowler stepped forward and drove a powerful free-kick through the wall and into the corner leaving keeper Terry McKormick well beaten. The All Gold’s second came on 23 minutes when Sacha Walters was presented with a tap-in after Luke Cumming’s smart run and cross was fumbled into his path by McKormick. The pattern of play continued with Town playing some majestic football, but in the 36th minute this dominance was abruptly ended when Connah’s Quay grabbed what had seemed an unlikely goal. Ryan Fraughan’s long free-kick into the box wasn’t dealt with despite defenders having several chances to clear and the ball fell to Russell Courtney, who struck the ball past Idzi from 12 yards.
The second half brought a much more even encounter, with the visitors growing in stature and matching Town’s early endeavour. The turning point came when Carmarthen’s inability to clear balls into the box was capitalised upon twice in quick succession. A fairly uneventful early period was dramatically concluded on 54 minutes when Kevin McIntyre sent a searching free-kick into the penalty area eventually reaching Steve Evans who headed the ball across to Courtney who volleyed home from close range for his and his sides second. Town’s circumstances worsened significantly in the 68th minute.
Fraughan lifted another dangerous free-kick deep into the penalty area to find Alan Bull, who rose to head the ball towards the goal and whilst Craig Hanford reacted swiftly to intervene and attempt to avert the danger, the presence of Akai Ukuno was enough to make him slice the ball into his own net. Although the endeavour from Town’s players was clear to see, they couldn’t find a way back into the match. Manager Mark Aizlewood pushed centre back Cortez Belle forward to add some height and strength to the attack and on 84 minutes it almost paid off.
A dangerous Cumming’s cross from the right found Belle who rose above a host of defenders only to see his close-range header safely gathered by McCormick. Although Town lost the game, they will take encouragement from their sparkling first 30 minutes and will hope to carry that through to Sunday’s quarter final clash with Rhyl. Team: Lee Idzi; Luke Cummings; Cortez Belle; Craig Hanford; Jordan Knott; Kyle Bassett (sub Sacha Walters 12); Paul Fowler; Ceri Morgan; Lewis Harling; Luke Prosser (sub Jeff White 61); Chris Hartland (sub Danny Thomas 77); Unused subs: Jordan Wells; Chris Ham; Glen Fearn; Jack Hewitt-Fisher .
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