Cambrian & Clydach Vale 4-1 Carmarthen Town: Clinical display sees Cam progress
A clinical first-half display saw Cambrian & Clydach Vale defeat Carmarthen Town 4-1 at the MP 3G to progress in the Nathaniel MG Cup.
Liam Reed opened the scoring on ten minutes before Josh Bull and Cam Strinati scored five minutes inside of each other to give the Sky Blues a commanding first-half lead.
Noah Daley pulled a goal back for The Old Gold but substitute Sam Jones restored their three-goal lead in the second half to make for an impressive win for Scott Young’s men.
They did however have to weather a wave of attacks in the second half and conceded to the tricky Noah Daley who ultimately ended up scoring just a consolation goal.
Both sides tried to utilise corner kicks in the early stages with both opting to float crosses in but each time they evaded a player.
Cambrian put down an early marker by opening the scoring with the first meaningful chance. Ceri Morgan ran down the flank and Ryan Prosser left it for wing-back Liam Reed to drill home his shot.
A dampener to Cam’s afternoon saw as Keiron Coles substituted for Joe Thomas, who was made his senior debut.
The change in personnel perhaps opened up the Cam defence as they rejigged their positions. Noah Daley had claimed that Jarrad Wright handled the ball when he tried to take the ball past him. He later moved the ball on his side to Liam Thomas who hit a reflex shot at Cameron Clarke who was well placed to save.
Clarke though was forced into more work and breathed a sigh of relief as he watched on at Ben Steele’s diving header cannoning off the crossbar from Tom Dyson’s well-delivered cross.
In a chance to respond, Carmarthen earned a free kick as Kyle Jones upended Dyson outside the box. Kieran Howard’s scooped free-kick though was tame and easily saved.
They were made to pay for their missed chance as their defence was breached for a second time. Bull broke down his wing and came into the box before placing a shot past Absalom after a deflection off the post.
Moments later, Bull was involved again as he played a pivotal part in their third. An exchange with Prosser saw the former Merthyr man stave off the challenge of many defenders before slicing through their defence for Strinati to place home his shot.
A few minutes from the break, Prosser should have registered his name on the score sheet. Bull tried to round the goalkeeper but Absalom blocked well before Prosser placed wide a shot from an open goal.
Carmarthen ended the half strongly as they had two half opportunities. The enigmatic Daley hit the side netting after a solo run before Connor Young had to header way Liam Thomas’ effort.
As the second half resumed, Carmarthen began a bit sloppy and saw some uncharacteristic sloppy defending.
Recently introduced Sam Jones almost pounced on some poor defending but Absalom saved well at his near post to deny him.
But after a slow start, Carmarthen had a goal to shout about. Daley placed a shot under Clarke from 20-yards out to inspire some hope into Sean Cresser’s side.
Immediately after there was almost a moment of spectacular to really make for an interesting affair. Surman hit a hopeful clearance from just inside his own half and almost in slow motion, the spectators watched his effort landed onto the roof of the net.
Front-man Thomas then put a shot just wide of Clarke’s goal to really put the frighteners on a youthful Cambrian side.
But after a dominant spell, they rued their missed opportunities. Prosser was denied at point-blank range by Absalom after but Sam Jones could not disappoint as he fired home from two yards out on the rebound.
Despite the setback, Daley still showed the promise he did during the game but was unable to put his shot on target and he was later replaced by Jamie Fleming.
Morgan for Cambrian then nearly netted against his former employers but his low-snuck shot was met by the dive of Absalom.
Ultimately, Carmarthen had the last chance as Vickers crossed in for Saunders but he headed over and Cambrian ended up a comprehensive winner.
Cambrian & Clydach Vale: Cameron Clarke, Liam Reed, Cam Strinati, Connor Young, Jarrad Wright (C), Keiron Coles (Joe Thomas, 12), Kyle Jones, David Thomas, Ryan Prosser, Ceri Morgan, Josh Bull (Sam Jones, 46)
Goals: Liam Reed 10, Josh Bull 30, Cam Strinati 35, Sam Jones 77′
Substitutes: Niall Reed, Joe Thomas, Josh Owen, Morgan Grahame, Sam Jones
Carmarthen Town: Kelland Absalom, Jordan Vickers, Cory Saunders, Lee Surman (C), Kieran Howard, Greg Walters, Ben Steele (Jac Walters, 90) Thomas Dyson (Cameron Berry 69), Noah Daley (Jamie Fleming, 85), Jay Woodford, Liam Thomas.
Subs: Scott James, Cameron Berry, Jac Walters, Jamie Fleming.
Goals: Noah Daley 59′
Yellow Cards: Ben Steele 45′
