The journey at Adran South side Carmarthen Town has been phenomenal, with a rise from tier five to tier two in just three years, and now breaking club records in Cup competition.
First Team Manager Carwyn Phillips has been there throughout the entire journey. They’re now in with a real chance of promotion to the Adran Premier and have a Bute Energy Welsh Cup Quarter-Final to look forward to, for the first time in their history.
The Old Gold beat topflight side Pontypridd United 2-1 at the LHP Stadium, in their first ever win over Adran Premier opposition.
Speaking to Geraint Roberts from Cymru Sport after the game, Phillips said on the win: “We knew it was going to be a tough task. We did our homework. We analysed and looked at Pontypridd, and we knew what was coming.
“I think we dominated the first half. We were quite good after the first ten minutes. We settled into our game, got our goals and then second half was more about game management, which was the conversation we had at halftime.
“I think we probably deserved it on the 90 minutes. Second half they came at us a bit more.”
Despite a much-changed Pontypridd side from their last fixture, top scorer Madison Lloyd remained in the starting lineup, having scored in all six of Ponty’s last six games. The former Cardiff City forward has 11 goals so far this season.
Phillips was quick to praise young defender, Hannah Carpenter, for keeping the visiting forward quiet during the game, whilst also commenting on the work of sisters Flavia Jenkins and Ophelia Jenkins in the final third.
He explained: “Our one mission today was to stop Madison Lloyd scoring goals and Hannah Carpenter was given the job. Hannah sacrificed her ability to play football and just marked Madison out the game.
“Flavia (Jenkins) has this ability to pick those passes out. The first touch from Ophelia (Jenkins) and the way she drove in and then slotted the ball in, it was a wonderful finish and well deserved.”
(Pic by Geraint Nicholas/FAW)
Three points off the top of tier two, and progressing in the Welsh Cup, Hugh James SWFA Cup and the West Wales Challenge Cup. Whilst this exciting group of players have already done so well, there’s still so much potential to achieve at the LHP Stadium, and Phillips explained that it’s a very good environment to be in at the minute both on and off the pitch.
Phillips said: “Of course I’m happy, if you had offered me 3rd place in the Adran South, quarter-final of the Bute Energy Welsh Cup, last 16 of the South Wales FA Cup and quarter-final of the West Wales FA Cup, I’d have bit your hand off.
“I would argue that we haven’t necessarily played at our best every week, and I think there’s a room for improvement.
“I’m really happy with where we are. The atmosphere is fantastic, the girls are working hard, and we’re really looking forward to the next round of the Bute Energy Welsh Cup.
(Pic by Geraint Nicholas/FAW)
“Thanks to all the supporters and the families as well, who come to support us. It wouldn’t be the same without them. We had about 100 here which is nice to see, so from me to everyone that supports us in the background, I’d like to thank them all.”
Next up for Carmarthen Town is the last 16 stage of the Hugh James SWFA Women’s Cup, as they host Caerphilly Dragons at the LHP Stadium, Sunday 4th January, in a 2pm kickoff.
