Hero Craig delivers the match-clinching blow
Cymru Premier League
Caernarfon Town 3 Newtown 1
Right on cue the star of the evening closed the show in familiar glorious fashion.
On the occasion of his 200th appearance in a Caernarfon shirt, Nathan Craig clinched a vital three points for the Canaries with a trademark free kick in the 84th minute to seal a 3-1 victory.
It was Craig’s 86th competitive goal for the club and ensured the Cofis claimed their first Cymru Premier victory of 2020 and in nine attempts.
That deadly left boot has provided so many joyous moments for The Oval faithful and it was written in the script that a Craig free kick would serve as the perfect ending.
It had not been all plain sailing on the night.
At half time opponents Newtown led 1-0 and deservedly so, George Harry with the 26th minute opener.
So often the Robins play the role of party-poopers, but they were not to rain on this parade.
Caernarfon suggested they were returning to the sort of form which had clinched them back-to-back top six berths the previous weekend when they thrashed visitors Cefn Druids 4-0 to reach the Welsh Cup semi-finals and seal a meeting with Cardiff Met.
Gareth Evans levelled proceedings tonight in the 57th minute and the unsung hero of the midfield made it 2-1 with a brilliant header on 74.
That set up the grand finale and the latest celebratory chapter in Nathan Craig’s career at Caernarfon where he has established himself as an all-time club great.
Before the match a minute’s silence was impeccably observed in honour of former Caernarfon Town director Terry Roberts, who passed away last month.
The performance that followed befitted Terry’s memory.
Attendance: 585.
Other scores – March 6
Championship Conference:
Bala Town 2 (Chris Venables 6, Kieran Smith 78) Connah’s Quay Nomads 2 (Mike Wilde 2, Jamie Insall 40)
The New Saints 2 (Dean Ebbe 3, 11) Barry Town United 2 (Luke Cummings 55, Luke Cooper 90 + 3).
Play-Off Conference
Cefn Druids 2 (Cody Ruberto 12, 69) Aberystwyth Town 2 (Marc Williams 13, Mathew Jones 61)
Penybont 2 (Daniel Jefferies 1, Billy Borge 47) Cardiff Met 0.