CARMARTHEN TOWN extended their remarkable unbeaten sequence in the Cymru South League to 16 matches – however for frequent periods, particularly during the first-half, that outcome seemed unlikely as Briton Ferry, who have occupied a high League placing all season, put the Old Gold defence under serious pressure.
Right from the start the hosts poured forward with a series of penetrating raids and they went close to taking the lead after only 2 minutes when a long throw-in landed in the crowded goalmouth where Adam Robbins saw his close-range shot blocked impressively by goal-keeper Ifan Knott – while the loose ball fell nicely for former Town striker Luke Bowen, his volley struck the bar and the ball was cleared to safety.
Then on 5 minutes a fine through-ball set Gavin Jones racing through the visitors’ defensive back-line and into the penalty area but Knott was quickly out of his goal and bravely dived down at the striker’s feet and claimed the ball.
But shortly afterwards the young ‘keeper was powerless to prevent Briton Ferry taking the lead when, in the 11th minute, a fine pass from Ross Jones set Tyler Brock racing clear into the penalty area and from 15 yards he fired the ball past Knott and into the net.
Stunned by that setback the Old Gold began to press forward with greater urgency as midfielders Greg Walters, Matthew Delaney, Kieran Howard and Tom Dyson sought opportunities for strikers Liam Thomas and Adam John to pursue – gradually the focus of activity began to shift further upfield into the hosts’ half of the pitch.
Despite this welcome spell of pressure from Town, which led to frequent activity in and around the home penalty area, they were rarely able to penetrate the Briton Ferry defence in any meaningful way and ‘keeper Conah McFenton was never seriously stretched.
Indeed, with the Old Gold now playing with more freedom further up the field occasional opportunities for counter-attacks began to open up for the home side and on 32 minutes they went close to extending their lead – from a corner-kick Bowen produced a strong close-range header only to see Knott respond with a superb reaction save and punch the ball aside.
After the interval Town quickly took the initiative and put the hosts under sustained pressure. The first significant moment arose on 53 minutes when Walters sent a measured pass forward to half-time substitute Ben Steele who from just inside the penalty area struck his crisp drive narrowly wide of the post. Then moments later Dyson released a stunning long-range shot that McFenton resisted with a flying full-length save.
The Old Gold continued to stretch and probe the home defence and again went close to drawing level in the 74th minute when Thomas threaded a fine pass through to John who saw his promising angled 15 yard drive turned aside by McFenton.
Then after 78 minutes Knott sent a huge clearance from his own penalty area almost the length of the pitch to reach Thomas only for Town’s prolific striker to be robbed of possession of the ball by McFenton on the edge of his penalty area.
However at last in the 81st minute Carmarthen were rewarded for their impressive second-half performance. Thomas burst dangerously into the penalty area only to be promptly brought down – equally promptly the referee awarded a penalty which Town’s all-time top goal-scorer, with his customary composure and accuracy, drove past McFenton and into the back of the net.
Unsurprisingly Briton Ferry poured forward in search of a late goal to restore their lead. However the Old Gold simply responded by defending soundly and comfortably protected the match point which, on the overall balance of the play, they rightly deserved.
Carmarthen’s next fixture is on February 26 away against Swansea University (k/o 2.30pm). Of course the reverse fixture at Richmond Park way back on August 28 saw Town’s first League win of the season and began the ongoing impressive unbeaten run.
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