Cymru Premier: Newtown 2 Caernarfon Town 3

Newtown 2 (Davies 28 & 50)
Caernarfon Town 3 (Mendes 45 + 2, Bradley 59, N Edwards 80)
JD Cymru Premier – September 15, 2020

After three successive defeats at Latham Park since returning to the top flight, Caernarfon crushed a mini jinx with a hard-earned three points at the Powys ground tonight.

Despite trailing twice to the Robins, Huw Griffiths’ side claimed the spoils thanks to Noah Edwards’ 80th minute decider.

Newtown started the stronger and a fierce shot from Ryan Edwards worked Josh Tibbetts in the opening minute.

It should have been 1-0 to the visitors when the lively Mike Hayes robbed home keeper Dave Jones, but Kieran Mills-Evans was able to clear the ball in the nick of time.

Tibbetts palmed clear under heavy pressure before the hosts went ahead from a 28th minute corner from the right.

James Davies came hurtling in at the back post to apply the finish and collect his first goal for the club.

Caernarfon upped the ante in the closing stages of the first half and Darren Thomas’ effort bound for the top corner was brilliantly tipped over by Jones.

Two minutes into added time came the equaliser.

Gruff John dinked a lovely ball across the box and new signing Paulo Mendes volleyed in an absolute beauty.

Half-time: 1-1

Newtown began the second half as strongly as they had kicked off the first.

In the 50th minute a kick out from Tibbets was headed back towards him from halfway and the Cofis defence was caught square, allowing Davies to slip the ball past the advancing keeper from close range.

Noah Edwards’ missile was pushed over by Jones before Newtown so nearly made it 3-1, Nick Rushton meeting a free kick at the near post but striking the woodwork.

Caernarfon rallied and a lovely turn and composed cross from Hayes was headed in by Bradley for 2-2 on 59 minutes.

The Canaries now grabbed the upper hand and it was no great surprise when they plundered the decider 10 minutes from time.

Substitute Cai Jones performed marvels to steal the ball on the right near the corner flag and feed a lovely pass into Noah Edwards.

The midfield dynamo worked the ball onto his trusty left foot and drilled a deflected effort past Jones.

Chances fell at both ends in a nervy ending but the visitors took all three points.

Newtown: David Jones, Jake Phillips, Jack Kelly, Sean McAllister (James O’Neill 80), Kieran Mills-Evans, Neil Mitchell, Nicky Rushton, Jordan Evans, James Davies (Matthew Williams 64), Ryan Edwards, George Hughes.
Subs not used: Khamrhan Steventon (gk), Thomas Davies, T Craig Williams.

Caernarfon: Josh Tibbetts, Joe Williams, Gruffydd John, Louis Augustin, Sion Bradley (Cai Jones 76), Paulo Mendes, Mike Hayes, Darren Thomas (Sam Jones 82), Danny Brookwell, Noah Edwards, Ryan Williams.
Subs not used: Tyler French (gk), Cory Williams, Telor Williams, Asa Hamilton.