Flint Town V Caernarfon Town FC
Friday 22 August, 19:45
Cofis Power Past Sikmen in Thriller.
Flint Town United 2 – 5 Caernarfon.
Caernarfon’s positive early season form continued last night as they came from behind to defeat Flint Town United by five goals to two.
The match could hardly have started any worse for the Cofis as they were a goal down inside three minutes after a cross from Wynne into their box was punched out by Connor Roberts but the ball landed at the feet of Jake Canavan, who controlled it before firing a thunderbolt into the top corner of the visitors net.
In-form striker Adam Davies tried his luck two minutes later but the striker, who has been in good form lately, was thwarted by home stopper Jack Flint.
The Cofis were back on level terms in the seventh minute after a Morgan Owen throw into the penalty area and the ball was inadvertently flicked on by Thorn to the far post where Paulo Mendes was quick to meet it and head past Flint.
The hosts were looked sharp and energetic in the early stages, especially in midfield and they pressed Caernarfon back as they looked to regain their lead.
However, it was the Cofis who took the lead on twenty eight minutes when Flint failed to deal with another Owen delivery into the box, and Zack Clarke did well to create some space for himself as he wriggled away from two defenders and he powered the ball into the roof of the net from eight yards.
The visitors could have gone further ahead six minutes later but Davies could not quite manage to steer his effort in from close range as a defender lunged at him.
The Silkmen were back n level terms in the thirty sixth minute with an exceptional goal with a move that began inside with their goalkeeper from his area and saw them move the ball the length of the field, culminating in Josh Jones cutting the ball back from the byline to the onrushing Elliott Reeves who made no mistake from six yards out.
Connor Roberts saved the Cofis from going into the interval a goal down when he pulled off an excellent save low to his right on the stroke of half time to deny Reeves.
Caernarfon manager Richard Davies tweaked his formation at the break and it made an instant impact on his team as they re-emerged for the second half looking more balanced and more in control.
The change may have been subtle but the Cofis were in the ascendency and went ahead seven minutes after the restart, when Flint again failed to deal with an Owen delivery into their box Iwan Lewis pounced on the loose ball to thunder the ball in from the edge of the penalty area. An excellent strike for his first goal for the club.
Sion Bradley joined the action half way through the half to complete his much anticipated return to Caernarfon and he seamlessly took his place on the right flank, much to the delight of the hundred plus Cofi Army in attendance. He very nearly made an instant impact on the match when he controlled a Morgan delivery eight yards out and spun his marker but Flint pulled off a smart point-blank save to deny him a goal on his return.
Caernarfon doubled their lead in the seventy fifth minute with a goal of the season contender from Paulo Mendes. Sam Downey began the build up as he won the ball in midfield and finding Adam Davies who in return flicked the ball to Mendes. The Portuguese midfielder controlled the ball in the ‘D’ and found the top left hand corner of Flint’s net with a rocket of a strike.
Adam Davies was in no mood to be left out of the goalscoring, however, and he scored another peach for the Cofis three minutes later, curling the ball past Flint and into the top right corner of the onion bag to complete the scoreboard for the evening.
Roberts denied a third goal for the hosts late on and Darren Thomas saw his late effort destined for the net saved by Flint as the final whistle approached.
Mendes was voted Caernarfon’s man of the match but really, the accolade could have gone to one of half a dozen of the Cofis in their new red and black kit.
The hosts may not agree when considering the result, but this match was an excellent example of the excitement and quality of Cymru Premier League, with quality football and quality gaols throughout the evening. An early contender for Match of the Season….
Tyn Lon Volvo Garage Man of the Match: Paulo Mendes.
Team: Connor Roberts, Morgan Owen, Matty Jones, Ryan Sears, Dominic Smith, Sam Downey, Paulo Mendes, Iwan Ellis, Josh Lock Adam Davies, Zack Clarke.
Subs (used): Sion Bradley, Phil Mooney, Connor Evans, Darren Thomas, Osian Ellis. Not used: Hari Tomas.