Newtown 1-0 Carmarthen Town: Vincent own-goal proves costly for Old Gold

Newtown moved to within three points of a top-six spot as they beat lowly Carmarthen Town in a close encounter at Latham Park.

An own-goal in the 11th minute from Carmarthen Town centre back Dave Vincent was the only goal as the Robins claimed their third straight home victory.

Defeat for the Old Gold means that they missed their opportunity to climb from the bottom spot of the JD Cymru Premier.

Their latest defeat was their fourth consecutive defeat under Kris O’Leary.

Newtown came out of the blocks quickly and dominated the early proceedings.

The Robins could have had a penalty in the opening ten minutes when Lifumpa Mwandwe was bundled down in the box, only for the referee to deny them.

Their early dominance paid off, as a Joe Kenton cross was turned into his own net by Dave Vincent, giving the home side the lead.

As they looked for a reply, Carmarthen had a golden opportunity to level the score.

A mistake by Dave Jones saw him come off his line to head the ball to Carmarthen playmaker Declan Carroll.

In an attempt to chip the keeper, Carroll’s shot sailed agonisingly over the bar with Jones beaten. 

Newtown thought they had doubled their lead but the linesman denied them their second.

George Harry’s initial shot was turned home by Shrewsbury loanee Lifumpa Mwandwe, only for the effort to be disallowed for offside. 

As the half-time whistle neared, George Harry had a huge opportunity to put Newtown two goals to the good.

Harry ran through on goal, but his shot was saved brilliantly by Lee Idzi.

Newtown started the second half much as they started the first as they looked to add to their one-goal advantage.

The home crowd appealed for a penalty, with substitute Niall Flint going over in the box but referee Jordan Christopher waved away the protests.

Joe Kenton, who was bright throughout, had a glorious chance to double the home side’s lead. His shot was blocked after hesitating to shoot having seen the goal in sight.

Carmarthen grew into the game in the second half, with Dave Vincent going close to making amends for his first half own-goal, heading just wide from a corner. 

Moving into the final fifteen minutes, Declan Carroll had another opportunity to level the score, but the Old Gold midfielder headed wide as another chance went begging. 

Craig Williams – making his 400th appearance for the Robins – typified his commitment to the cause as he continued on from an injury to defend Newtown’s narrow lead. 

Carmarthen’s efforts to find an equaliser were matched by Newtown’s resolute defending who were able to see out the victory.

Newtown: Dave Jones, Kieran Mills-Evans, Craig Williams (C), Jack Kelly, Sean McAllister, Alex Fletcher, Joe Kenton, Neil Mitchell, Matthew Williams (Niall Flint 28), George Harry, Lifumpa Mwandwe (Jack Thorn 88)

Carmarthen Town: Lee Idzi, Jordan Knott, Dave Vincent, Lee Surman (C), Declan Carroll, Greg Walters (Chris Jones 45) Lewis Harling, Jordan Vickers (Josh Bull 82, Liam Thomas, Jay Woodford, Luke Bowen

See how the Robins claimed victory here:

(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)