AFTER their thoroughly disappointing performance against Taffs Well last weekend Carmarthen quickly rediscovered the form and flair that had lifted them into the top six of the Cymru South League in this comprehensive victory over Undy Athletic.
The result was made more remarkable in that Town were forced to play the last 55 minutes of the match with only ten men following the sending off of Adam John.
From the start the Old Gold quickly put the visitors’ defence under pressure as they dominated possession and launched a series of attacks.
Initially Athletic coped well and no serious scoring chances emerged until eventually, on 15 minutes, an opportunity arose for Liam Thomas – Jordan Vickers made a surging run along the right touchline before firing a long cross into the penalty area where Town’s all-time top scorer uncharacteristically, from 15 yards, sent a weak shot straight at goalkeeper James Smallcombe.
Moments later Greg Walters, from the midfield, sent a fine long pass through to Adam John just inside the penalty area – he released a powerful drive but saw it crash against the foot of the post before Smallcombe claimed the ball.
Carmarthen maintained that momentum and kept the Athletic defence under noticeable pressure and, almost predictably, in the 23rd minute they took the lead.
Vickers, a constant threat with his movement and express pace, raced along the right touchline then delivered a fine pass across to John on the corner of the penalty area – he then sent the ball towards the far post where Walters directed his header into the back of the net.
The Old Gold, spurred by that success, continued to monopolise possession as they swarmed upfield in search of further goals – and on 33 minutes they were successful when Kieran Howard delivered a fine corner-kick into the packed goalmouth where Sean Pemberton rose high above defenders to plant his firm header into the roof of the net.
At this stage Carmarthen seemed to be cruising to a comfortable victory. However, just two minutes later that notion was completely overturned.
Adam John was fouled by Tom Wright close to the half-way line and the referee immediately awarded Town a free-kick for the infringement – yet, despite that, John foolishly struck out at Wright and the referee promptly and predictably sent him off.
Immediately Undy began to make good use of their player advantage. On 40 minutes Sam Broadribb broke clear of the Old Gold back-line but Ifan Knott raced quickly out of his goal and robbed the ball from the striker.
After the interval Town created the first decent scoring opportunity when on 49 minutes Bradley Gibbings made a strong run through the midfield before threading the ball forward to Walters who, in clear space just inside the penalty area, wasted the opportunity by firing a poor shot just wide of the post.
Athletic too were creating chances at this stage and after 68 minutes Morgan Morris struck a 20 yard shot beyond Knott’s reach but narrowly outside the post.
Following several substitutions the Old Gold began to dominate the game once more and eventually, in the 76th minute, they extended their lead – Vickers began the move, sprinting along the right touchline before sending the ball across the edge of the penalty area where Thomas timed his arrival to perfection and struck a fierce angled drive past Smallcombe and into the back of the net.
Carmarthen were still not satisfied and they searched for further goals. On 85 minutes Jamie Rickard sent a fine pass across to Noah Daley on the edge of the penalty area – while his powerful shot was blocked on the goal-line by Smallcombe with a stunning reflex save, Daley pounced on the rebound only for his follow-up shot also to be saved by the over-worked keeper.
However, in the 89th minute Daley had yet another chance to defeat Smallcombe. Ben Steele, on the edge of the penalty area, struck a fierce drive that hit the bar – the ball rebounded conveniently for Daley who at last managed to fire it into the net.
Town’s next fixture is away against Risca United on Saturday, April 9, kick off at 2.30pm.
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