Carmarthen Town 3
Newtown 2
NEWTOWN paid the price for a first-half horror show as Carmarthen Town began life after Mark Aizlewood on a high.
To add further salt to their wounds the Robins lost striker Jamie Reed to injury in the first-half with the 30 year old ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.
Despite a confident opening with Ryan Kershaw and Alex Fletcher going close the hosts led against the run of play on 15 minutes with Mark Jones steering Luke Cummings’ cross into the path of Liam Thomas to blast home.
Five minutes later the Robins were found wanting defensively again with Jones’ effort parried away by goalkeeper Jack Perry only for Aiden O’Kelly to mop up.
Newtown were left with a mountain to climb six minutes before the break with Thomas heading home Cummings’ cross.
The Robins handed new signing Ethan Jones his bow following Reed’s injury but despite starting the second-half well the Mid Wales side continued to struggle with Perry producing a brave save at the feet of Jones as the Old Gold looked to extend their margin.
The Robins looked to get a foothold in the game with Callum Roberts and Jones going close before Kershaw twice forced goalkeeper Luke Thomas into action.
The pressure finally told with Kershaw’s low cross steered home by Nick Rushton with 15 minutes remaining.
Newtown laid siege and with a minute remaining Kieran Mills-Evans headed home from close range but it proved scant consolation for the Robins as Carmarthen held firm.
NEWTOWN: Perry, Williams, Sears, Mills-Evans, Roberts, Fletcher, Mitchell, Rushton, Denny (Boundford), Kershaw, Reed (E Jones). Subs: Goodwin, Kenton, Harries, Evans.
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