The New Saints V Caernarfon
Friday 28 November, 19:45
Town in Late Heartache.
The New Saints 2 - 0 Caernarfon.
Caernarfon travelled to Park Hall on Friday evening with a threadbare squad but an abundance of heart of desire.
Richard Davies’ side has suffered with numerous long-term injuries throughout the season but ever since the start of his tenure at the Oval the Cofis manager has always been more than ready to make full use of the club’s Academy and last night he gave a first start to Caron Williams at left back.
The truth of the matter is that every club that faces The New Saints should expect a tough ninety minutes as the league leaders are the Cymru Premier League’s only professional side and, in all honesty, anything less would be surprising.
Town had seven of their squad unavailable for the match but you would not have though it from simply watching the action. Caernarfon were resolute, organized and disciplined throughout a riveting match that they were in with a chance of getting something from until the last kick of the evening.
As expected, the hosts began strongly and soon took control of possession, playing a measured style that Caernarfon seemed to deal with efficiently, and whilst goalkeeper Connor Roberts was called upon to make the first save of a busy night in the fourteenth minute to deny Jordan Williams.
Caernarfon looked confident when they did get the ball and looked to play from the back, a ploy that suited their captain Darren Thomas, who was making his first start of the season. The Cofi Messi was busy throughout, trying to find pockets of space to weave his magic, and looking to put his team on the offense at every opportunity.
The visitors’ first opportunity at goal arrived in the twenty fifth minute after Connor Evans did well on the right flank before sending in a cross into the box and directly into the path of Paulo Mendes, who was frustrated not to get more power from his header as the ball ended in the hands of home keeper Nathan Shepperd.
Caron Williams made a super last gasp tackle to prevent Josh Daniels from putting TNS ahead just before the half hour mark whilst the same player tested Roberts three minutes.
The Cofis escaped a penalty appeal from the hosts on forty nine minutes when Brobbel went down in the box after a challenge from Ryan Sears but referee Mr Markham Jones was not convinced.
The second half was very much a continuation of the first as the hosts bossed possession without having enough to penetrate Caernarfon’s excellent defensive shape.
Roberts pulled off one of the stops of the season in the sixty fourth minute when he got his fingertips to a Williams effort to turn the ball onto the upright and he was rewarded for his save when the ball rebounded directly into his hands.
Morgan Owen came to his side’s rescue ten minutes later when he cleared a Dan Williams effort off his line whilst at the other end Osebi Abadaki threatened for the Cofis when Adam Davies found him in space outside the home box. The winger powered his way into the area before shooting goalwards and was disappointed to see Shepperd well placed to keep the ball out of his net.
Town midfielder Sam Downey had to leave the field due to injury and, with just eight minutes remaining, Ben Clarke broke the deadlock when he finished from close range, despite the best efforts of Roberts and Sears.
Caernarfon responded impressively to the setback and went on the attack in search of an equaliser. With five minutes remaining Dominic Smith was frustrated not to have done better when he met a Darren Thomas cross into the danger area but the defender could not quite manage the purchase he wanted and directed his effort wide from twelve yards.
Davies then went close for the visitors in the second minute of injury time when he met an Osian Ellis cross but the number nine’s header was blocked by a defender and the ball fell kindly to Shepperd.
In a cruel end to the game for Caernarfon, Jordan Williams got a second for the hosts with the final kick of the match.
So, a disappointing defeat for Caernarfon after an impressive effort and the manager spoke after the match of his pride at his team’s performance whilst also making special mention of debutant Caron Williams. The seventeen year-old proved why his manager had so much faith in him as he excelled at left back and was voted the Sgorio and the supporters’ Man of the Match after a stellar display.
Tyn Lon Volvo Garage Man of the Match: Caron Williams.
Team: Connor Roberts, Morgan Owen, Dominic Smith, Ryan Sears, Caron Williams, Iwan Ellis, Sam Downey, Paulo Mendes, Connor Evans, Darren Thomas, Adam Davies.
Subs: Osebi Abadaki, Osian Ellis, Charlie Griffiths. Not used: Hari Thomas, Hari Roberts, Owen Roberts, Harri Wyn.