OLD GOLD HIT PURPLE PATCH TO DEFEAT NEWTOWN

NEWTOWN 0 V CARMARTHEN TOWN 2
WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE - 13 DECEMBER 2.3OPM

THE BEAUTY THAT IS LATHAM PARK HOME OF NEWTOWN AFC

TV GANTRY DOUBLE DECKER STAND

The boys in purple, is this really a colour for a kit [?] its certainly different, took away three points from Mid Wales to take Carmarthen back to the top six of the Corbett Sports Welsh Premier League thanks to a goal in each half.
The day started much earlier for me, 6.30am to be precise, and following two changes of train and an hour and a half in Shrewsbury Newtown was reached at just after mid day. 

OFFERING A CRACKING VIEW ITS ALSO 'COME ON DOWN' FOR THE
 PLAYERS AS THEY COME DOWN THE 20 STEPS OR SO

Having never visited Newtown before or for that matter Mid Wales and following a bit of research I went in search of the towns famous son in Robert Owen early co-operator and social reformer from the 1700's and after a quick photo of a statue to his memory I also visited his now restored tomb.  The town itself seems a lively and close community with most people knowing one another there was a friendly feel to the place, following a look around and the time moving on I decided against taking in the Wetherspoons or McDonalds for sustenance in favour of Latham Park home of Newtown AFC.
The approach to the ground is via a narrowing road towards an official car park and then a turn left down a footpath that halfway down reveals the turnstiles.
Having paid the standard £7 for entry I collected a few programmes at £1.50 and got on with taking some pictures of this impressive ground that looked even more resplendent in December sunshine which was glinting off the clubs brand new 3G pitch which certainly allowed this game to go ahead.  One supporter was surprised I had made it via train he told me the line had a replacement bus service on it only last week due to flooding around Welshpool.

AN EARLY ARRIVER GETS HIS 'SPOT'

Its a difficult ground to describe with 5 stand from small to large for this standard of football, well here goes.  To the right a mid size stand with blue and red seats a selection that adorns four of the stands and behind the goal a slightly raised bank that quaintly has park bench style seats at the top for a lovely view on a warm day I guess.  Going back to were we came in and turning right is a small stand with double decker facility for Sgorio S4C or I guess any other tv company, moving round to the goal is an open stand again with blue and red seats.  As we come round to the side opposite our entrance this is the main area for the clubs activities with the bar now extended into The Latham Suite and hospitality area above with viewing gantry, sandwiched between this and the old main stand is the snack bar a large walk in facility.  Passing the old main stand which houses a radio press area come to the new stand which features just red seats and houses around 400.  The most interesting feature here is the changing rooms are up about 20 steps at the rear and this results in the official and players entering the pitch via this staircase.

REFEREE THOMAS DENIES A PENALTY
WAS ON MANAGER AIZLEWOODS CHRISTMAS LIST

PURPLE KIT, PURPLE BOOTS GOOD COMBINATION

Its a bit of a long introduction to the ground but I think you will see form the pictures its an interesting stadium which commands some lovely views of the Welsh countryside all around it.

A CALMER NEWTOWN BENCH

Following a bilingual introduction over what was a superb PA system it was time for the game to begin and the first 30 minutes was a tempestuous affair with both sides having penalty appeals turned down by young referee Iwan Griffith, something that Carmarthen livewire manager Mark Aizlewood didn't let him or most of the ground forget for the first 45 minutes.  Aizlewood is an interesting ex footballer in that he certainly shouts at the officials but he plays every ball and encourages all of his players in a very vocal manner.  That first half an hour produced an opener for Carmarthen after 19 minutes when Liam Thomas hit a screamer from the edge of the box.  In the second period much as Newtown prompted and prodded at the Carmarthen defence they could not find a way though and it was the visitors who made it 2-0 with ten minutes remaining when David Brooks slotted home unmarked at the back post.  This seemed to give Newtown purpose and but for a wild miss on an open goal and an excellent save from Idzi they may very well have got a point from this encounter.

PANTO SEASON UNDER WAY 'ITS BEHIND YOU'
SHOUT AIZLEWOOD AND ASSISTANT SMOTHERS

Steady 10 minute walk back to the station for the well loaded two carriage Arriva train, with a quick change at Shrewsbury and even quicker change at Stockport and thanks to a delayed train home base station was arrived at an hour before planned.
Lots of enjoyable things about today, great ground, lovely town, nice club with some friendly stewards and some equally social local supporters who made the day a memorable one all round.  The only minor was no club shop or merchandise on sale here still I guess there were not many hoppers in the crowd of 172.

THE PICTURESQUE STATION THAT GREETS YOU ON ARRIVAL AND SAYS SEE YOU SOON ON YOUR DEPARTURE AT NEWTOWN, POWYS