THREE GOAL BURST SINKS CARMARTHEN
THREE goals in six minutes soon after the break sent TNS back to the top of the Welsh Premier.
But in a first-half stalemate dominated by a strong wind, there was no hint of the goal-rush to come, as both sides battled against the conditions.
Paul Reid came closest for Carmarthen when his free kick skimmed across the face of Dean Williams' goal after 19 minutes.
John Leah was replaced by Gary Brabin a minute later after aggravating the groin injury which has kept him out of several games.
TNS almost made their first-half superiority pay, but Tony Pennock denied Wood and Davies, while Martyn Naylor's 25-yard free kick hit the foot of the far post.
The floodgates opened for TNS after 52 minutes, when King's cross from the left was mis-kicked by Leigh de-Vulgt and Naylor helped the ball on for Jamie Wood to score from just outside the six-yard box.
Two minutes later, TNS went further ahead. It was Wood who mis-timed his kick this time from a Chris King cross, but Naylor found impressive teenage midfielder Steven Beck, who beat a defender before slotting the ball past Pennock.
With Carmarthen suddenly reeling under Saints' pressure, Beck's cross from the left found King whose shot was parried by the keeper, and Wood's attempted overhead kick from the rebound was headed in by Mike Wilde.
Good interplay between David Moss and Price ended with the striker shooting over the bar for the visitors, while Owen Thomas saw his effort deflected for a corner, as Saints eased off.
But Jamie Wood saved the best until last, running from the half-way line past several defenders before rounding the keeper to score a superb solo goal.
David Bridgwater almost made it five, but his rasping shot was turned over the bar by Pennock. |