Caernarfon Town FC V The New Saints FC
Tuesday 26 September, 19:45
Determined Cofis Go Down Fighting.
Caernarfon 1 – 3 The New Saints.
Caernarfon hosted the New Saints at the Oval on Tuesday evening and, despite a fighting display from Richard Davies’ men, they could not quite manage to hold on to an early lead to gain something from the match.
The reigning Cymru Premier League champions were predictably top of the league at the beginning of the match, with the Cofis in fourth and, despite a quick start from Craig Harrisson’s men, when they twice went close to scoring within the first five minutes, it was Caernarfon who took an early lead, through their top scorer Adam Davies.
Six minutes showed on the referee’s watch when Marc Williams won the ball off Ben Clarke in midfield and put Zack Clarke away on the left. The striker cut inside and saw his effort blocked, the ball ran to Darren Thomas inside the box and he laid the ball on to Davies, who side footed into an empty net.
Lewis Webb pulled off a smart save to deny Jordan Williams a quick equaliser and he repeated the act against the same player a few minutes later.
As expected, the visitors were dominating possession whilst Caernarfon looked to pounce on the break, and Sion Bradley and Clarke both had goalbound efforts blocked by defenders whilst a Phil Monney effort at the far post from a Thomas free-kick finished in the side netting.
Davies went close to doubling Town’s lead in the thirtieth minute after Louis Lloyd showed his marker a clean pair of heels as he ran past and away from him on the right flank before finding Davies, who forced visiting keeper Connor Roberts into a decent save to his left. Davies set up Clarke in the forty first minute but the striker’s curling effort from the edge of the area sailed three inches over the bar.
Former Caernarfon midfielder Ben Clarke twice went close to equalising early in the second half before finally doing so on the hour mark with a low shot that hit the bar on the way in.
The New Saints proceeded to dominate as the match went on but Caernarfon dug deep as they tried to hold on to at least a point. Unfortunately, a fortuitous goal for the visitors put them ahead in the minute when Clarke put the ball into his own net from an in-swinging corner.
A third goal for TNS from Ryan Brobbel in the sixty sixth minute in reality put an end to Caernarfon’s hopes but they remained resolute and determined and could have made it an interesting final few minutes had referee Tom Owen agreed with the hosts shout for a penalty when Danny Gosset’s cross from the right struck Astles on the arm. The appeals were turned down, and the score remained 3-1 to the league leaders at the final whistle.
It may not have been the result that the Cofi Army had wanted, but they still gave their team a great ovation at the final whistle, which was testament to the player’s efforts against a very good side. There were also some positives for manager Richard Davies, as he welcomed Gruff John, Danny Gosset and Ben Wynne back into the fold after illness and injury, and he was also able to give exciting young prospect Morgan Davies a first team debut.
Caernarfon will visit Barry Town this Saturday.
Tyn Lon Volvo Garage Man of the Match: Lewis Webb.
Team; Lewis Webb, Iwan Cartwright, Phil Mooney, Gruff John, Ben Maher, Marc Williams, Louis Lloyd, Sion Bradley, Adam Davies, Darren Thomas, Zack Clarke.
Subs (used): Daniel Gosset, Ben Wynne, Cai Griffith, Joe Faux, Morgan Davies. Not used: Tomos Pritchard.