The New Saints V Caernarfon

Friday 05 April, 19:45

Cofis No Match for Ruthless New Saints.

The New Saints 7 – 1 Caernarfon.

A trip to Oswestry to play the Cymru Premier League champions The New Saints awaited the Cofis on Friday evening, and it proved just as difficult as expected.

With three influential players out of contention for the fixture in Sion Bradley, Dion Donohue and Daniel Gosset, and also the last minute absence of Iwan Cartwright, manager Richard Davies will have known that his side would need to dig deep to get something out of the match.

Unfortunately, the hosts made a blistering start that left the Cofis four nil down after just twenty one minutes and really, everything that followed was very much a case of damage limitation.

Conceding an opening goal in the seventh minute will have been a difficult start for Caernarfon, and it was an unfortunate goal to concede. A cross into the box created a scramble in the six yard area and Cai Griffiths’ attempted clearance hit McManus on the shin and gave Town keeper Josh Tibbetts no chance.

The hosts doubled their lead five minutes later when Ben Clarke controlled the ball with his chest before placing it beyond the reach of Tibbetts and into the bottom right hand corner of his goal from twelve yards.

The visitor were certainly under the cosh and were three behind four minutes later when Cieslewicz got on the end of an Ash Jordan cross and finished from six yards at the far post.

Danny Redmond added a fourth for the hosts five minutes later when Jordan Marshall retrieved a long cross and found Redmond, who rocketed the ball into the roof of Tibbetts’ goal.

In an effort to hopefully solidify his side, Town manager Davies changed to a more traditional four four two formation and this certainly seemed to have an affect on his players.

Town’s top scorer Adam Davies forced Connor Roberts to a smart save in the twenty seventh minute as the host keeper did well to deny the striker’s goalbound attempt from an angle on the right.

Caernarfon did well to keep the score from increasing up to half time as they worked hard and stayed resolute in defence, although Tibbetts was forced into a number of fine saves.

Cieslewicz added a fifth two minutes after the break, heading in from three yards at the far post whilst McManus secured his brace, and the hosts’ sixth goal on the hour mark.

Louis Lloyd threatened to pull a goal back for the Cofis four minutes later but his free kick effort dipped inches over bar. Lloyd was not to be denied, however, and got the visitors on the scoresheet in the seventy second minute. Substitute Osian Evans did well to retrieve the ball in the home box and found Lloyd on the edge of the area. The winger’s first touch got him beyond his marker and he finished well past the advancing Roberts with a crisp right foot effort.

Zack Clarke was twice put through late on for the visitors but the striker could not find a way past Roberts.

Unfortunately for Caernarfon, Blane Hudson scored a seventh goal for the hosts in injury time, which was a cruel ending to the match for Town’s returning keeper, Josh Tibbetts, who was outstanding throughout, despite the scoreline.

Whilst it was undoubtedly a disappointing evening for Caernarfon, Tibbetts’ performance was a positive, as was the performances of Academy players Osian Evans, Harry Hughes and Steffan Aldford, who was making his first team debut for the Ccofis.

Tyn Lon Volvo Garage Man of the Match: Josh Tibbetts.

Team: Josh Tibbetts, Joe Faux, Gruff John, Mark Williams, Ben Maher, Phil Mooney, Louis Lloyd, Morgan Owen, Cai Griffiths, Adam Davies, Zack Clarke.

Subs (used): Harry Hughes, Darren Thomas, Osian Evans, Steffan Aldford. Not used: Hari Thomas, Ryan Austin,

All Results

The New Saints V Caernarfon

Players

Substitutes