Welsh Cup 3rd Round

Friday, 30th October 2009

at Stebonheath, Llanelli

Llanelli 3-1 Carmarthen Town

Goalscorers

Llanelli

Rhys Griffiths (14), (85), (90+2)

Carmarthen Town

Tim Hicks (66)

Referee - Mr Kevin Morgan

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Llanelli

Team - Ashley Morris, Craig Jones, Michael Howard, Andy Legg, Stuart Jones, Wyn Thomas, Jason Bowen, Antonio Corbisiero, Rhys Griffiths, Craig Moses, Chris Venables

Subs - Andrew Mumford, Owain Warlow, Lee Phillips

Goalscorers - Rhys Griffiths (14), (85), (90+2)

Carmarthen Town

Team - Neil Thomas, Richard Hughes, Neil Smothers, Nicky Palmer, Mark Dodds, Kris Thomas, Craig Hanford, Tim Hicks, Paul Fowler, Mark Pritchard, Nathan Cotterrall

Subs - Deryn Brace, Danny Thomas, Dyfan Pierce

Goalscorers - Tim Hicks (66)

Attendance - 356

Referee - Mr Kevin Morgan

This West Wales derby match was named as the tie of the 3rd round but wet and windy conditions made for an interesting opening half in a match that lacked the expected derby competitiveness from both sides. Neither team controlled the game in the opening exchanges with both sides resorting to a long ball approach as the players adapted to the conditions but it was the home side who quickly opened the scoring as Rhys Griffiths found himself in space in the six yard box and made no mistake from close range to capitalise on a cross from the right. Carmarthen came into the match midway through the half and tested Ashley Morris in the Llanelli goal with a couple of deep crosses before Mark Dodds appeared to have scored the equaliser from a Nathan Cotterrall cross but Dodds was adjudged to have fouled Morris and the goal was disallowed. The game returned to its scrappy start for the remainder of the opening half but as the conditions worsened at the start of the second period so the game improved drastically. Carmarthen added to their attacking options by bringing on Danny Thomas in place of Neil Smothers and Thomas worked tirelessly behind the front line to unsettle the Llanelli defence. Carmarthen dominated long periods of the half and had chances to equalise before Tim Hicks scored the eventual goal as he combined with Paul Fowler to score a deserved equaliser. Mark Pritchard came close to adding a second for Carmarthen when he capitalised on a defensive error but could not direct his effort on goal after winning the ball off Morris in the Llanelli goal. As the game opened up Llanelli remained on the back foot but were dangerous on the counter-attack and after another period of Carmarthen pressure, Llanelli grabbed a second on 85 minutes as Rhys Griffiths scored his second goal of the night from close range. Carmarthen were left deflated as Llanelli pushed forward again in injury time and after a fine strike from Antonio Corbisiero was saved by Neil Thomas, Rhys Griffiths was on hand to score his third of the night as he struck home the rebound.

30th October 2009 - www.carmarthentownafc.net

Match Report

A Rhys Griffiths hat-trick dumped Town out of the Welsh Cup. Despite having considerable posession Town were unable to convert their chances and were duly punished by Griffiths as the Reds booked their place in the last 16 of the competition. With manager Deryn Brace making just one change from last week Nathan Cotterrall reclaimed his place in the starting line-up at the expense of Dyfan Pierce. But it was the hosts that made the perfect start when 'Golden Boot' Rhys Grifffiths found the back of the net from close in on 16 minutes after Craig Moses out on the right had picked up on a Reds long goal kick and crossed into the box. Just before the half hour mark Town looked to have levelled when Mark Dodds netted Cotterrall's free kick but was adjudged to have fouled the keeper. Then with very little between the sides a good move down the right saw Tim Hicks volley over when well placed just before the break. Ten minutes after the restart Brace sent on Danny Thomas for Neil Smothers and on 66 minutes Town were justifiably level. Paul Fowler broke through the middle and having chipped the ball over Hicks left footing home having controlled the ball well with his chest. With Town making the running Mark Pritchard disposessed keeper Ashley Morris but sent his shot from the floor wide of the mark before Danny Thomas' effort was deflected wide after Hicks had provided from the flank. But it was the Reds who went in front with five minutes left on the clock. Griffiths applied the finish to Craig Warlow's cross from the left before then claiming his hat-trick in stoppage time after Antonio Corbisero's thunderbolt had been parried by Neil Thomas and the front man was on hand to net. Whilst Brace can be pleased with a positive performance he will be bitterly disappointed with the outcome given that his side had competed so well for long periods of the game.