Holyhead Hotspur V Caernarfon Town FC
Friday 05 August, 19:45
Town Through To Next Round.
Holyhead Hotspur 0 – 1 Caernarfon.
Caernarfon began their season with a hard fought Nathaniel MG Cup victory against Holyhead Hotspur at the New Oval on Friday evening.
The short trip across the Britannia Bridge ultimately proved a fruitful one for the Cofis but, as is often the case against the Islanders, it was not pretty and they were made to work hard for the success.
With just three summer signings having been added by Huw Griffiths, there was a familiar look to his side and Ben Wynne was the lone debutante to make the starting eleven.
It was a brisk start from Caernarfon and they could have gone ahead in the second minute after Joe Faux did well to beat his man and cut inside before hitting a pacey low effort that Alex Lynch turned away for a corner. It was the first of a string of excellent saves from the home keeper.
Former Town favourite Jay Gibbs had the hosts’ first sight of goal, but his twenty yard effort flew over the bar.
Hotspur enjoyed a decent patch of pressure midway through the half and Tyler French was twice forced into action within a minute, first to rush off his line to deny Kenleigh Owen with a smart low stop and then, from the resulting corner he pulled off an acrobatic one handed save to deny a Summers-Jones.
Caernarfon responded well to the pressure, however, and they went ahead in the twenty seventh minute courtesy of a close range Iwan Cartrwright header from a Donohue corner.
Gibbs nearly got the hosts back on level terms three minutes later with a trademark free kick but French got down well to turn the ball around the left upright.
Faux tested Lynch for the second time with a rasping low drive and from the resulting corner, Aaron Simpson saw his headed effort striker bar. Unfortunately for the visitors, they lost captain Donohue a few minutes later as he suffered a groin injury, Ryan Williams replacing him in the heart of defence.
The second half saw Caernarfon dominate for long periods and a combination of excellent goalkeeping and rugged defense kept Hotspur in the match.
Faux saw an effort clear inches over the bar in the fiftieth minute, and sic minutes later he went close again with a low effort that was inches wide, following good work by Rob Hughes, Danny Gosset and Mike Hayes,
The introduction of Gosset and Hughes certainly gave the Cofis more dynamism, and the latter was frustrated in the sixty fourth minute to see his effort cleared off the line by a defender.
Lynch kept his team in it with impressive stops to deny Gossett and Laurie Bell whilst Hotspur captain Alex Jones came to his side’s rescue with a number of finely time tackles and blocks.
Sixteen year old Osian Evans was introduced late on and he went close to marking his senior debut with a goal when he met a corner and back heeled the ball against the bar.
Despite their many opportunities to increase their lead, Caernarfon had to settle for a one goal victory but Huw Griffiths won’t be too worried, as his team created plenty of openings and are in the draw for the next round.
Tyn Lon Volvo Man of the Match: Noah Edwards.
Team: Tyler French, Iwan Cartwright, Gruff John, Laurie Bell, Dion Donohue, Sion Bradley, Mike Hyaes, Noah Edwards, Aaron Simpson, Ben Wynne, Joe Faux.
Subs (used): Ryan Williams, Danny Gosset, Rob Hughes, Osian Evans. Not used; Josh Tibbetts, Cai Grffith.
