The New Saints V Caernarfon
Wednesday 09 October, 19:00
Cofis Shock Champions.
The New Saints 1 – 2 Caernarfon.
It had been well-documented in certain quarters that it had been five years since Caernarfon had tasted victory over professional outfit The New Saints. However, if the reigning Cymru Premier League champions expected a comfortable evening at Park Hall they were in for a shock as Richard Davies and his side had other plans.
There was a hint of what was to come as early as the sixth minute when Zack Clarke sped down the left flank and to the byline before seeing his goalbound effort blocked by a defender.
Despite this early threat the hosts began well enough and threatened more than once early on. Their first sight at goal arrived a minute after Clarke’s effort when Jordan Williams gathered a pass from Josh Daniels and turned well before shooting over the bar from twenty two yards.
Declan McManus was put through on goal a minute later but the Scottish striker could not beat the advancing Hari Thomas, who blocked his effort with an outstretched leg.
The hosts went ahead a minute later when a Leo Smith strike from twenty five yards took a deflection that saw the ball go in the opposite direction to Thomas and into the Caernarfon net.
Williams threatened again on twenty minutes when he got on the end of a Danny Davies cross but he missed the target from close range.
Despite this setback, the Cofis dug deep and started to impose their game on the hosts. On twenty five minutes Darren Thomas found Clarke on the right flank and his low cross was an inch away from finding Louis Lloyd in the six yard box.
Matty Hill was next to threaten the home goal as he did well to cut into the area from the left flank and whilst he sweetly connected with the ball his effort was aimed directly at keeper Connor Roberts.
The visitors levelled in the thirty fourth minute when Sion Bradley lost possession on the edge of his own area to Ryan Sars, who found Joe Faux. The Australian jinked his way into the box and crossed to Clarke, who deftly beat Roberts, putting the ball underneath the advancing keeper.
Clarke could have added a second for Caernarfon soon after but drilled his shot directly at Roberts, whilst at the other end Ben Clarke hit his effort wide. Matty Hill was unlucky not to put Caernarfon ahead just before the break with an excellent effort that beat Roberts but flew just wide of the upright.
Town’s first half showing had obviously given them the confidence to go toe to toe with their hosts and the second half turned into an entertaining end to end affair.
The dangerous Clarke was unlucky not to put Caernarfon ahead eleven minutes later the restart when he intercepted a poor backpass from Jordan Marshall and ran into the area, beating Roberts with his powerful shot but seeing the ball canon off the bar.
Three minutes later TNS substitute Jay Oteh failed to beat keeper Thomas after being put through and seconds later Matty Hill’s effort from twenty five yards flew inches wide of Roberts’ left hand post.
Clarke’s header at the far post was blocked on the line by Davies and for the hosts a Danny Redmond header struck the bar half way through the half.
Caernarfon were looking dangerous when on the front foot and they went ahead with eight minutes on the clock. Clarke’s inch perfect pass from inside his own half landed perfectly into the path of Lloyd who got away from both TNS centre halves and calmly paced the ball beyond the onrushing Roberts and into the bottom left corner of his goal. An exquisite finish from the in form striker who has been in red hot form in recent weeks.
The hosts huffed and puffed in their attempt to get back into the match but Caernarfon held on for a deserved victory that sees them sitting in third place in the Cymru Premier League.
Tyn Lon Volvo Garage Man of the Match: Ryan Sears.
Team: Hari Thomas, Gruff John, Matty Jones, Joe Faux, Phil Mooney, Ryan Sears, Daniel Gosset, Louis Lloyd, Paulo Mendes, Matty Hill, Zack Clarke.
Subs (used): Darren Thomas, Osian Evans, Stefan Edwards. Not used: Morgan Davies, Caron Williams, Osian Ellis.