An important game for both sides with the home side needing a good start to the new year after after a disastrous spell which showed only one victory in 16 games this season and the visitors eager to erase the memory of a six goal Boxing Day reverse against Rhyl. Port started well and Caughter and Pugh combined well on the right for the latter to cross but Pennock in the home goal collected under pressure from Mark Williams.

In fact Port could well have gone ahead in the ninth minute when the first of two defence splitting passes by Gareth Parry found Pugh in space on the right but the winger did not make the most of the opportunity and his shot was wayward when he only had the keeper to beat. Gareth Parry produced an excellent performance both in defence and going forward and always appeared to be in the thick of things.

Port had moments when they were under pressure and McGuigan needed two bites to gather a Pratt corner from the right and in the 17th minute when the ball had to be scrambled away to touch as McGuigan failed to gather under pressure from Keaveny. On the whole however Port controlled the opening half with Mark Williams winning a great deal of ball in the air and working hard to bring other people into the game, but his sterling efforts did not produce the results such effort deserved as support often did not arrive quickly enough.

The visitors produced some excellent build-up but neither side were able to create any clear cut chances. As the opening half drew to a close Port were closest to gaining a lead when Pugh broke into the box on the right and nutmegged Pratt before seeing Pennock spread himself and save with his legs at the expense of a corner. From the resulting corner by Ritchie Owen, Pugh rose first to head just over the bar.

The second period again produced some neat build up from both sides but few if any clear cut chances with the experienced Andrew York strong at the back for Carmarthen and Andy Wagstaffe, making his first league start for Port, coolly controlling things at the back with timely tackles and a good reading of the game. Port again held the territorial advantage in the early stages with Pennock having to scramble away a Pugh cross from the right. Lack of numbers in the box meant that a Cauhter break and cross came to nothing.

Increasingly it became apparent that the game might well be decided by a defensive error as neither side were able to supply that good final ball. As the home side enjoyed their best period McGuigan had to make a point blank reflex save. With the clock ticking away it was Port who made the error when Webber over committed himself as he and Keavney challenged for the ball and the Carmarthen forward was past him and his well struck low cross was swept into the net via the underside of the crossbar by Nicky Burke.

With 79 mins gone Port, for all their territorial advantage, were facing defeat. A minute later and the home side could have been two up but for a Webber clearance from the line after Keavany had drawn McGuigan from his goal. There was,however, no addition to the score and Carmarthen happily added to their previous solitary league win hoping that this indicates a happier new year.Port on the other hand will be concerned that they have only gained onepoint from the last twelve which adds to the pressure for their next home match against Afan Lido.

Carmarthen: Pennock,De Vulgt, Pratt, Barnhouse, York, Reid, Rossiter, Nicky Burke, Keaveny, Owen Thomas, Padraig Burke.
Subs: Chapple, Dale Price, Steffan Davies, Fayers.

Port: Gerard McGuigan, John G. Jones, Andy Wagstaffe, Lee Webber, Mike Foster, Steve Pugh(Tony Williams), Dafydd Evans, Gareth Parry, Ritchie Owen, Mark Williams, Gareth Caughter.
Subs not used: Bari Evans, Ceri Roberts.

Report by: Gareth Williams.