Welsh Premier League
Carmarthen Town 1
Aberystwyth 0
CARMARTHEN desperately needed three points from this fixture in their pursuit of the coveted UEFA play-off qualifying place but they were forced to wait until deep into added time before they finally broke Aberystwyth’s stubborn resistance with a sensational strike from Kieran Lewis.
Town entered this crucial match disadvantaged by the absence, due to injury and suspension respectively, of two key defenders Dave Vincent and Jordan Knott who have featured prominently in the second-phase programme.
But they began positively, attacking with obvious freedom and putting the visitors’ defence under immediate pressure – in response Aberystwyth were quick to launch a series of counter-attacks and the play soon developed into an absorbing end-to-end affair between two fairly evenly-matched sides.
Initially, with both defences looking secure, no serious scoring opportunities emerged until eventually, in the 10th minute, the Old Gold went close – Luke Cummings sent an inviting cross into the crowded goalmouth which led to two closerange shots in quick succession from Liam Thomas and Mark Jones being blocked before the ball reached Lewis Harling who saw his 15 yard drive well held by ‘keeper Mike Lewis.
Then on 20 minutes Cummings again finished a strong run down the right flank with another testing cross that was cleared only as far as Kieran Lewis on the edge of the penalty area and he instantly released a fierce volley that the ‘keeper just managed to tip over the bar.
During this spell Town’s central defensive pairing of Luke Prosser (deputising admirably for Vincent) and Dwaine Bailey were, through their aerial strength and keen tackling, capably neutralising the threat normally posed by Aberystwyth’s experienced strike-force of Chris Venables and Rhys Griffiths – and this remained the case throughout the match.
The visitors’ sole significant attacking outlet was Geoff Kellaway who, with his pace and determination, frequently stretched the home defence. And after 35 minutes he burst down the left wing then fired a dangerous cross into the penalty area only to see Old Gold midfielder Ceri Morgan make a superbly-timed late intervention to deny Venables the chance of a clear, close-range scoring opportunity.
Then on 44 minutes Kellaway produced another strong run to the corner of the penalty area and struck a fierce angled drive that ‘keeper Lee Idzi turned smartly around the post.
After the interval Town took the early initiative and gradually built up pressure on the visitors’ defence, forcing a series of corner-kicks. Yet Aberystwyth forged the first notable chance in the 56th minute when Antonio Corbisiero’s long free-kick into the penalty area found Griffiths and he headed the ball on to Ross Stephens who turned sharply then hit a close-range shot that Idzi, showing fine reflexes and at full stretch, clawed away to safety.
The Old Gold responded just moments later when Jones raced forward to reach a long clearance and from the edge of the penalty area he played the ball across to Harling who saw his sharp strike hit the ‘keeper before defender Lee Surman cleared the danger.
Then Kellaway again went close on 61 minutes when he chased after a long through ball and took it towards the corner of the penalty area but although his crisp drive went beyond Idzi’s reach it slid narrowly past the far post.
Shortly afterwards Harling surged forward from the half-way line then rolled the ball across to Kieran Lewis who dispatched a stunning 25-yard volley that left the ‘keeper well beaten but clipped the top of the bar and went safely behind.
Town continued to press forward but, with the visitors defending soundly, the game was looking increasingly as though it would remain goalless particularly once the referee signalled added time at the end of 90 minutes.
Yet, just as they had done at Bangor last week when they snatched a vital late equaliser, the Carmarthen players found enough reserves of energy and spirit to mount one final attack –from the centre circle Jones embarked on a robust diagonal run, shrugging off several challenges, to reach the penalty area where he neatly slipped the ball back to Lewis who from 20 yards struck a rasping drive which, aided by a deflection off Surman, flew over the stranded ‘keeper and into the net.
This victory lifts the Old Gold to the top of the Play-Off Conference section of the Welsh Premier League two points clear of Bangor. With just one match remaining a win next Saturday (Apr 23 k/o 5.15pm) at Rhyl would secure that position although that may be academic since Bangor, themselves needing three points, face a tough final game at Aberystwyth.
There is no doubt that manager Mark Aizlewood will be asking his players for another performance like this, full of energy, determination and commitment – and, hopefully, some goals rather earlier in the game!
Team: Lee Idzi; Luke Cummings; Luke Prosser; Dwaine Bailey; Dan Sheehan; Ceri Morgan (sub Craig Hanford 52); Lewis Harling; Kieran Lewis; Kyle Bassett (sub Sacha Walters 83); Mark Jones; Liam Thomas.
Unused Subs: Danny Thomas; Glen Fearn.
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