Caernarfon V Colwyn Bay
Saturday 27 December, 14:30
Town Lose Out In Christmas Cracker.
Caernarfon 1 – 2 Colwyn Bay.
There was a bumper crowd at the Go Goodwins Stadium on saturday to witness the third instalment of what is becoming an intriguing rivalry between Caernarfon and Colwyn Bay. The Cofis won the first match at the same venue by a handsome margin in August whilst the Seagulls finished on top on their own ground back in October. This latest encounter was arguably the most important thus far this season as both clubs fight to secure a top six berth at the end of the first Phase.
Although it could be argued that Caernarfon were slight favourites going into the match, Colwyn Bay’s form over the past two months has been superior and the match lived up to all the hype as it proved to be a pulsating, and thrilling afternoon in Llandudno.
The hosts began on top and could, probably should, have been two goals in front after an exciting first ten minutes when Bay struggled to keep pace. The first opportunity to fell to Sion Bradley in the fifth minute, after Josh Lock had broken from midfield and found him on the edge of the box, the Cofi favourite cut inside his man but saw his goalbound effort saved smartly by Alex Brown.
Lock and Bradley were involved again five minutes later as they created an excellent opening for Darren Thomas, but the Town captain, arriving late in the penalty area went for power rather than direction and the ball flew a foot over the target.
As has proved on a number of occasions this season, profligacy in front of goal is very often punished at the other end and this turned out to be the case again on this occasion when Peate’s effort from a corner was saved by Connor Roberts but the ball bounced directly back to him and he made no mistake from six yards to put the visitors ahead.
The goal did not change the patter of play as Caernarfon continued to have the upper hand possession wise but a very well drilled Bay side looked confident in defending their lead, although Dominic Smith’s header from a Lock corner on the half hour mark was blocked on his own line by Peate whilst Iwan Lewis threatened with a long range effort that flew inched wide of an upright.
Caernarfon were a whisker away from equalising a minute after the restart when Lock’s long ranger beat keeper Brown but the ball struck the bar and flew to safety. Caernarfon were pressing forward and Darren Thomas went close to getting on the scoresheet when through but Brown raced off his line and did well to block the striker’s effort.
Lock was pulling the strings in midfield and he set up Bradley in the fifty fifth minute but again Brown was equal to the effort to keep his side ahead.
The Seagulls were looking dangerous on the break and they doubled their lead in the sixty fourth minute when Aeron Edwards did well to stride upfield and find Cummins, who pulled the trigger from twenty five yards to give Roberts no chance in Caernarfon’s goal and put his team two goals ahead.
Caernarfon struck back almost immediately as they were awarded a penalty for handball by a Bay defender and Bradley made no mistake from the spot, sending Brown the wrong way.
Predictably, the hosts upped their tempo and, with the recent introduction of Daniel Gosset to the action, they took control of the ball for the remainder of the game, forcing a number of saves from the excellent Brown, who eventually helped his side to an impressive victory to complete a league double over the Cofis.
The teams meet again at the same venue in the quarter finals of the Welsh Cup in late January and if Saturdays’ match was anything to go by, we’re in for another thriller.
Tyn Lon Volvo Garage Man of the Match: Josh Lock.
Team: Connor Roberts, Ryan Sears, Phil Mooney, Dominic Smith, Kyle Harrison, Paulo Mendes, Iwan Ellis, Sion Bradley, Adam Davies, Darren Thomas, Josh Lock.
Subs (used): Daniel Gosset, Morgan Owen, Osebi Abadaki, Connor Evans. Not used: Hari Thomas, Sam Downey, Osian Ellis.