Cymru Premier: First win for Druids is a 2-1 victory at Caernarfon Town

Druids coach Bruno Lopes is off the mark. Picture: Cefn Druids Facebook account

Caernarfon Town 1 (Paulo Mendes 65)
Cefn Druids 2 (Iwan Cartwright 4, Alex Darlington 18)
JD Cymru Premier – October 9, 2020

Druids picked up their first league win of the season at the seventh attempt but still remain bottom of the Cymru Premier.

They made the perfect start at The Oval when Naim Arsan sent a tantalising cross from the left to the back post where Iwan Cartwright’s downward header beat Josh Tibbetts for 1-0.

In the 18th minute the away lead was doubled when Arsan’s long range shot, which Tibbetts should probably have gathered, rebounded kindly off the post for Alex Darlington to tap into an empty net.

Town gave themselves hope in the second half when Paulo Mendes halved the deficit in the 65th minute.

Great approach work by Sion Bradley saw him find Cai Jones, whose low cross from the right perfectly picked out Mendes, whose weak shot found the net through the legs of keeper Dawid Szczepaniak.

Late pressure from the Canaries failed to deliver reward so the Ancients took the points.

A very welcome first league win for Cefn’s coach Bruno Lopes, but disappointment for Caernarfon manager Huw Griffiths against his former club.

Caernarfon Town: Joshua Tibbetts, Joe Williams, Louis Augustin, Sion Bradley, Paulo Mendes, Darren Thomas, Noah Edwards, Ryan Williams, Cai Jones, Jamie Crowther (Daniel Brookwell 46), Jonathan Anderson-Ogbomo (Asa Hamilton 87).
Subs not used: Sam Jones, Iddon Price, Telor Williams, Gareth Evans, Cian Evans.

Cefn Druids: Dawid Szczepaniak, Naim Arsan, Josh Green, Aaron Simpson (Charley Edge 81), Jamie Reed, Alex Darlington, Sam Phillips, Niall Flint (Stefan Edwards 87), Iwan Cartwright, Ben Barratt, Jacob Wise.
Subs not used: Michael Jones (gk), Thomas Reilly, Kieran Smith, Harry Fuller, Ben Edwards.

Saturday fixtures (October 10)

Bala Town v Aberystwyth Town (5.15 pm)
Cardiff Met University v Connah’s Quay Nomads (2.30 pm)
Flint Town United v Haverfordwest County (2.30 pm)
Newtown v Barry Town United (2.30 pm)
Penybont v The New Saints (2.30 pm)