Y Seintiau Newydd V CPD Tref Caernarfon
Dydd Gwener 11 Tachwedd, 11:59
Brave Cofis Out of Cup.
The New Saints 2 – 1 Caernarfon.
Welsh Cup ties don’t get more difficult than facing The New Saints at Park Hall and, having lost there by three goals there in a league fixture just three weeks ago, Caernarfon supporters could have been forgiven for feeling that Friday’s match was a foregone conclusion.
However, Huw Griffiths and his men had other plans and, having worked on a format to combat the cup holders, the Cofis gave a much better account of themselves this time around. In fact, had it not been for the acrobatics of home stopper Connor Roberts, Caernarfon could well have caused an upset against the full-time outfit.
The hosts got off to a perfect start when they went ahead in the third minute, courtesy of a wonderful strike from Ryan Brobbel, whose volley from fifteen yards gave Tyler French no chance at it rocketed into the far corner of his net. They could have doubled the lead two minutes later when Ben Clarke found himself in a decent position in the box but French was even better placed to pull off the save. The Town keeper was in action again in the ninth minute to deny McManus at his near post.
Caernarfon’s first visit into the TNS area almost resulted in a goal, after good work between Ben Wynne and Marsh-Hughes ended with the latter’s effort whistling past Connor Roberts’ right hand post.
McManus thought he had added a second for the hosts in the nineteenth minute when he rounded French and struck for goal, but Laurie Bell did well for the Cofis and was able to clear the ball off the goal-line.
The opening salvo of goalscoring opportunities dried up as the half progressed and Caernarfon began gaining parity of possession of the ball as they seemed to grow in confidence, which quite obviously frustrated the hosts.
The Cofis went close to equalising in the thirty third when Danny Gosset burst upfield before setting Been Wynne free, and the pacey forward held off his marker before hitting goalbound, forcing Roberts into an excellent low save. Noah Edwards also went close to an equaliser two minutes later after a powerful run into the home area and a low left foot effort that was just wide of the target from fifteen yards.
Buoyed by their increasing possession, the Cofis re-emerged for the second period in confident mood and took the game to the hosts. Noah Edwards again threatened to put his team level after an excellent run through and from midfield and into the home area but his shot was straight at a relieved Roberts.
Adam Wilson saw his effort for the hosts on the hour mark flash wide of the far upright, and on sixty eight minutes it was the turn of his goalkeeper to deny Rob Hughes, who’s effort from twenty five yards seemed destined for the roof of the net until Roberts got his fingertips to the ball. Town were pressing more and more forward in search of an equaliser and a minute later, Joe Faux hot a low shot that finished just wide of goal.
It was then the turn of Town stopper Tyler French to get in on the action as he denied Wilson and Leo Smith in quick succession, the latter save a standout of the evening, as the keeper pulled of a point blank save to deny his former team mate, who had got his head on the end of a cross at the near post.
Disaster struck the Cofis with the match entering its final fifteen minutes. Joe Faux received the ball near the half-way line but lost it to Redmond, who sped into the Town area and slipped the ball past the advancing Tyler to give the hosts a two goal cushion.
Caernarfon refused to give up however and Rob Hughes and Faux forced Roberts into two smart saves before Danny Davies put the ball into his own net from a Sion Bradley corner to give the Cofis late hope of a draw. However, the goal arrived in the last minute of regulation time and it proved too little, too late as Huw Griffiths’ men bowed out of the premier cup competition in Wales.
TNS are to visit the Oval on Sunday, 11th December and, on this evidence, the Caernarfon manager will feel that his charges have a decent opportunity to avenge this narrow defeat.
Tyn Lon Volvo Garage Man of the Match: Noah Edwards.
Team: Tyler French, Gruff John, Iwan Cartwright, Laurie Bell, Dion Donohue, Danny Gosset, Noah Edwards, Ben Wynne, Fidel O’Rourke, Lloyd Marsh-Hughes, Joe Faux.
Subs (used): Rob Hughes, Sion Bradley, Oosian Evans. Not used: Ryan Williams, Harold Essien.
