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The Bluebirds were outstanding in their 3-0 win over Carmarthen Town
Trethomas Bluebirds look to head into 2025 as the Cymru South league leaders following their 3-0 win over Carmarthen Town.
Having not played for four weeks, there could have been a few cobwebs to dust off for the Bluebirds when they met Carmarthen at the Centre for Sporting Excellence on Saturday December 28.
Quite the opposite however, it was arguably their most well-rounded and comprehensive performance of the season, in which they could have won by a few more goals.
Kick-off
A few tweaks made to the team were interesting to watch in the early moments. Starting with lone striker Callum Huggins, who netted a hattrick when the Bluebirds thumped Cwmbran Celtic 6-4 in late November.
That would have been one reason why the Barry Town loanee started over the club’s leading scorer Gareth Tedstone, another being the size of the Carmarthen centre halves.
Both Trystan Jones and Lee Surman were big bodies at the back, meaning speed was something the hosts would try and utilise.
It was a fast start for the Bluebirds, who were on top early and kept the pressure up for most of the match.
The right channel looked to be their preferred method of attack, as midfielder Thomas Gameson took the position of ‘winger’. He had a lot of joy up against Sam Parsons who struggled to deal with his size.
The first half chance however came from the left when Kallum Thomas chipped a decent ball in to fullback Harvey Selway at the far post. His header just wide this time.
Thomas continued his fast start, a player who has really come into his own in recent matches, when a ball was played into him by Huggins and delicately flicked around the last defender.
Through on goal, the summer signing couldn’t quite get his feet sorted and his shot was a weak one.
A few minutes later however and the hosts finally looked to have found the breakthrough when Edwards burst through the middle, barreling down on goal.
With seven league goals this season, half of the ground were celebrating as he struck the ball, but the winger put it onto the post. Huge chance missed.
Ethan Edwards (above) looked certain to make it 1-0
The 21-year-old soon made-up for it though when his speed and skill allowed him to dance past two and cut the ball back to Thomas in the box.
He struck it well enough, and a nice deflection in favour of the Bluebirds sent Lee Idzi the wrong way and found the back of the net.
Trethomas were really purring now, putting together some lovely combinations in and around the Carmarthen box, it was matter of time before they found the second.
A ball crossed from left to right missed everyone but was gathered by James Young on the far side, who had time to pick his head up and find a man in the middle.
It was a superb delivery to Huggins who had the header to match; guiding the ball into the far corner shortly before half-time.
The final few minutes were equally as dominant from Trethomas, who wouldn’t have wanted to hear the whistle.
Second-half
Despite the earful they received from manager Mark Aizlewood, the visitors looked no more likely to score in the second-half.
It was all Trethomas again, with Edwards threatening down the right, skipping past a couple and delivering a great ball which nobody met.
There was one sharp passage of play for Carmarthen when Mason Thomas-Jones turned smartly in midfield and played a ball through to Gavin Jones. He struck his effort well enough, but it fizzed wide.
The game slowed down a bit after this with subs and the odd stoppage. The Bluebirds were still in control though, pinging some lovely passes around with confidence.
Any glimmers of hope for Carmarthen were regularly snuffed out by Young who was everywhere on the day.
There was nearly a third when T. Jones was caught dawdling at the back and sub Tedstone stole the ball away.
The striker opted to round the keeper, but his touch was too heavy and the chance was gone.
Late in the game and the visitors piled-up the pitch for a corner, only for it to cost them going the other way when Thomas again made it all happen.
Breaking from the edge of his own box, the midfielder knocked it past the last man and was away with the very quick Jack Jones alongside him for support.
He squared it to J. Jones who took a few seconds to pull the trigger, but managed to squeeze it under Idzi to cap-off a brilliant team performance.
Jack Jones (above) scored the third from the bench
What a display then from Trethomas, who will take bags of confidence from that one ahead of Newport City on Friday January 3.
Reaction
After the win, Caerphilly Observer spoke to manager Mark Dunford. He said: “It’s been a tough few weeks trying to keep everyone on point and credit to the lads they put the work in. We were really intense from the start and had too much for Carmarthen.”
Asked about some of his personnel choices, Dunford added: “We went for what we thought was the best option for today, Callum has obviously come off a hattrick full of confidence and I thought he was outstanding.
“A similar story with Tom [Gameson], we thought we were lacking a bit of height in that area so we know he can do that job for us. I thought he was excellent too.”
On the upcoming match against Gwent rivals Newport City, Dunford said: “Yeah of course we’re looking forward to it, especially after this win today. We’ll go down there and look to give a good account of ourselves.”
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Rob Hill
Rob Hill
Rob Hill