The New Saints FC V Caernarfon Town FC
Tuesday 26 December, 14:30
Town Frustrated Against Champions.
The New Saints 2 – 1 Caernarfon.
The Cofis travelled to Oswestry on Boxing Day for a Cymru Premier League match with The New Saints and Richard Davies and his squad will feel disappointed at returning home without at least a point after an excellent performance.
The hosts dominated early on and young Town keeper Hari Thomas was forced into a fourth minute save to deny Josh Pask, whilst Declan McManus missed the target from an acute angle with a low effort six minutes later.
Sion Bradley has been a stand out performer for Caernarfon this season and he continued his excellent form at Park Hall, earning his side a penalty in the thirteenth minute when he proved too skilful for his marker, Ash Baker, who tripped up the winger inside the box. Town’s top scorer, Adam Davies, stepped up to take the spot kick but Connor Roberts denied him with a super full stretch save to his right.
From the ensuing corner Gruff John was first to the ball and headed goalwards, where Louis Lloyd managed to get a final touch to help it on its way into the home net.
The New Saints responded well to the setback and Thomas was forced into another save on twenty five minute to get his hands to a Tomas Jones effort from ten yards. Apart from this effort, the hosts were kept at bay impressively by a resolute Caernarfon defence that was well marshalled by captain Gruff John.
The Cofis could have doubled their lead deep into injury time when Bradley intercepted a pass just inside the hosts’ half of the pitch, and after cutting inside from the flank, he hit the ball over the bar from a promising position.
Rory Holden wasted a decent opportunity to get the hosts back on level terms seven minutes after the break but headed directly into the hands of Thomas from ten yards out, whilst Adam Davies was frustrated not to do better for Caernarfon a minute later after Lloyd and Bradley had created an opening for him, but his goalbound effort was blocked by a desperate lunge from Dan Williams with goalkeeper Roberts in no man’s land, and the striker pulled his second effort inches wide of the upright.
Lloyd should have done better in the fifty seventh minute when he found himself one on one with Roberts but he failed to find the net from fourteen yards.
The New Saints’ superior fitness began to show deep on to the match as they began dominating possession and they found an equaliser eleven minutes from time when Ben Clarke found Josh Williams with a delightful delivery, and the winger did well to beat the advancing Thomas.
Unfortunately for Caernarfon they conceded a second goal two minutes later when Routledge found the far corner of Thomas’ net from the edge of the penalty area which gave the hosts the spoils.
Caernarfon were visibly disappointed at the final whistle and will know that they deserved something from the match, but they will have to put the disappointment behind them quickly as they face another important match on New Years Eve, when Colwyn Bay visit the Carling Oval for a much-anticipated fixture.
Tyn Lon Volvo Garage Man of the Match: Sion Bradley and Gruff John (joint).
Team: Hari Thomas, Iwan Cartwright, Joe Faux, Gruff John, Sion Bradley, Danny Gosset, Ben Maher, Ben Wynne, Adam Davies, Louis Lloyd, Cai Griffith.
Subs (used): Phil Mooney, Zack Clarke. Not used: Tom Pritchard, Marc Williams, Morgan Davies.