There were mixed feelings from the County support after the first defeat of the pre-season programme.  One perspective is that results are not important at this stage, but a certain amount of pride is at stake and Carmarthen are to be congratulated on a creditable performance in securing the victory.  Of more concern than the result is the lack of a cutting edge to date in the County attack, but it must be realised that these are very early days as a new manager comes to terms with the task of rebuilding the squad.

Strikers Craig Hughes and Chris Hartland are both unavailable for the opening league fixture against AFC Wimbledon and Dean Holdsworth has stated that he wants the team to be comfortable playing a couple of different systems, so once again he changed both the personnel and the pattern of play in this game.  Carmarthen, in contrast, fielded 10 regulars from last season’s first team squad and made just one substitution with Tim Hicks, the player withdrawn, ironically returning after Nicky Palmer suffered an injury to strike the late winner.

The Larkfield Ground in Chepstow staged this encounter and we appreciate the efforts of the Chepstow Town FC for making their facilities available at short notice.  The area around the ground experienced pre-match traffic congestion as the fans arrived on one of the warmer evenings of the summer to squeeze their cars into a tight residential area.  The Gaffer started with a back four of player coach Steve Jenkins and Dave Collins at full-back with Nick Skelton wearing the captain’s armband alongside Ian Hillier in the middle, and the safe hands of Glyn Thompson in goal.   Danny Rose partnered Adie Harris as holding midfielder, and trialist Danny Wring featured on the right in his first appearance for County, with Leon Fisher on the left and Kevin Cooper playing behind striker Phil Walsh.

The most spectacular action of the summer occurred in the 16th minute when Cooper made perfect contact 20 yards out on the left only for former Merthyr keeper Neil Thomas to fling himself full length and somehow manage to touch the ball onto the post.  Two minutes earlier Palmer, who had a trial with County in the Peter Nicholas days, missed when well placed while the impressive Danny Thomas forced a good save from Thompson.  The match was evenly balanced with Rose then creating a good chance for Fisher who could not direct his header on target.

County made five changes at the break with striker Craig Hughes taking the place of Wring and joining lone striker Walsh as the nominal hosts adopted a more familiar 4-4-2, with Paul Keddle taking over left-back duties from Dave Collins, Martyn Giles replacing Skelton, Nathan Davies taking over from Harris and Paul Hall coming on for Fisher.  It was difficult to keep track of the changes and Dean was clearly keen to experiment with different systems and players, which is of course the main purpose of these public practice matches.  Anthony Church was an early second half introduction in midfield while others to be given a run-out were reserve keeper Scott James, winger Richard Evans and the lively 18 year-old Hartland who had just signed a contract after a successful time at the Academy.

The match was played in almost exemplary spirit and referee Adrian Shilston had one of the easier evenings of his career.  Carmarthen had a good spell early in the second half as County took the replacement tally to 11 with Skelton and Hillier both returning after a short break.  Neil Smothers, another Town player with a brief County background, was a figure of authority at the back but Hartland and Evans both made a positive attacking impact for County with some good crosses.  The match looked deadlocked but Hicks was sharp to react when Nathan Cotterall crossed from the left enabling the visitors to contemplate a good evening’s work rewarded with a victory.

Former County defenders Mark Dodds and Damon Searle were both rested following minor injuries, and on this evidence they will have to battle for a first team place as Carmarthen have an experienced and well coached rearguard.   We wish them well for their Welsh Premier League campaign while we move a few miles to the east for a friendly against Caldicot Town on Thursday before Saturday’s trip to Merthyr.