CARMARTHEN Town suffered a narrow defeat against current Cymru South League leaders Llantwit Major after a keenly fought contest which not only ended Town’s impressive unbeaten run of 17 matches but also realistically ended any remote prospect of them securing promotion at the end of the season.
The match began with a strong wind blowing down 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 ensuring that very little productive cohesive attacking play arose.
However eventually, on 14 minutes, the home side managed to breach Town’s defence when a fine pass from the midfield set Conner Goldsworth racing along the left flank to reach the corner of the penalty area – he then struck a crisp angled drive only to see Carmarthen goal-keeper Ifan Knott advance swiftly from his goal and, at full length, 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 penalty area and from a sharp angle he fired the ball towards the goalmouth – however, before Ben Steele could react to the close-range scoring opportunity goal-keeper Adam Caswell was quickly down to claim the ball.
Then on 19 minutes Tom Walters released a speculative 20 yard volley that Knott, at full-length, turned around the post.
However, in the 30th minute Llantwit took the lead when Goldsworth was allowed to make a long diagonal cross-field run, unchallenged by any Old Gold defender, to reach the corner of the penalty area before dispatching a fierce low drive beyond Knott’s reach and into the far corner of the net.
Carmarthen, stunned by that setback, straightaway poured forward in search of an early equaliser. On 44 minutes Greg Walters embarked on a typically determined run through the midfield before sending the ball forward to Steele – he in turn crossed it into the goalmouth where Tom Dyson, crowded by defenders, sent his close-range header narrowly wide of the near post.
Then moments later Adam John sent a corner-kick into the packed 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 cross-field pass into the penalty area to reach Steele who saw his smart 15 yard volley fly narrowly over the bar.
Then in the 61st minute, following a corner-kick, John from the wide edge of the penalty area crossed the ball into the goalmouth only for Surman to send his header marginally 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, Town were able to create just a few scoring chances – and of those only once, a stunning 20 yard drive from John on 74 minutes, was ‘keeper Caswell seriously tested.
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 on Saturday, March 12 (k/o 2.30 pm) at Richmond Park.
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