Welsh Cup final 2005
All systems go for Neath's visit
Saturday 04 February 2012
IT'S all systems go for a return of Welsh Premier action to Park Hall on Saturday as the artificial pitch has beaten the ovenight freeze for the visit of Neath.
With the majority of fixtures already postponed, the clash of the league's only full-time sides is a mouthwatering start o the second phase of games.
Newly-confirmed in the manager's seat at The Gnoll, Kristian O'Leary is in charge of a Neath side that can boast an 11-match unbeaten run, culminating in a 3-1 Welsh Cup win at Flint Town United last weekend.
"I have to admit I am not a great fan of the surface, but at least we look like being guaranteed to play even with frost," O'Leary says.
"It's a disadvantage to visiting teams, but Saints are similarly disadvantaged playing away on grass, so perhaps it evens itself out."
The earlier meeting between the sides in Oswestry ended with a convincing 3-0 win for the Saints, when Neath had defender Kai Edwards red-carded, but O'Leary is convinced his side are now a much stronger unit.
"We were naive then, but we have learned a lot since, but we were also handicapped by injuries and a sending off," he added.
"I'm happy with what I've got, the lads are working hard and enjoying their football.
"The next three months are crucial and Europe is our target, but so it is for the top six and the bottom six, so it's all to play for with little margin for error."
O'Leary is without suspended midfielder Matty Collins in an otherwise full-strength squad, while TNS management duo Craig Harrison and Carl Darlington have Matty Williams and Chris Williams both sidelined with injury.
Photo: Greg Draper was among the scorers against Neath back in September.
Match facts
Gerard Doherty
Martyn Naylor
Steve Evans
Tommy Holmes
Chris Taylor
John Leah
Scott Ruscoe
Marc Lloyd Williams
Michael Wilde
John Lawless
Jamie Wood
Substitutes
Chris King -> Marc Lloyd Williams (83)
John Toner -> John Lawless (89)
Goalscorer
John Lawless (75)
CARMARTHEN TOWN
Tony Pennock
Luke Hardy
Gary Lloyd
Martin Giles
Richard Carter
Rhodri Jones
Neil Smothers
Richard Kennedy
Nicky Burke
Mark Dodds
Kevin Aherne-Evans
Substitutes
Nathan Cotterrall -> Neil Smothers (78)
Omar Abdillahi -> Richard Kennedy (78)
Jimmy James -> Nicky Burke (89)
Referee Simon Jones
Attendance 1126