Classy Caernarfon Town continue to confound the critics

Now in their sixth successive season in the Cymru Premier, Caernarfon Town continue to confound the critics.

Earmarked by many as potential strugglers at the start of the campaign, the Canaries are going great guns in fourth place with five wins, two draws and three losses on their record.

Town’s latest success was a 3-0 weekend win at Barry – one of their most complete away performances since returning to the top flight in 2018-19.

It is still early days, but the Cofis look a decent shout for another first phase top-half finish, something they have achieved in four of the past five seasons.

Since 2018-19, The Oval side have placed fourth, fifth, sixth and fourth, with last season the first which could be classed somewhat of a disappointment as they ended up ninth.

Nonetheless, avoiding relegation in a league where they are up against clubs with much bigger resources is still a good achievement.

Manager Richard Owain Davies is doing a fine job at the helm this season. 

Following the departure of Huw Griffiths in March, Davies was asked to lead the Cymru Premier side for the remaining five games of the 2022-23 campaign.

Town were not safe from relegation at that stage, but seven points from a possible 15 under Davies’ leadership secured the Canaries top-flight football for a sixth season in a row.

This season has seen Davies’ summer rebuild shine brightly so far, with new striking duo Adam Davies and Zack Clarke showing a lot of promise, while veteran Marc Williams is a man reborn following his previous successful stint in the CPL with Llandudno from 2015-18.

Williams’ fairly low-profile move to The Oval in the summer has paid great dividends so far, with the former Wrexham forward and Wales Under-21 international at his outstanding best in the victory at Jenner Park on Saturday.

Other outstanding performers for Caernarfon this season include goalkeeper Lewis Webb, on-loan from Swansea City, exciting young winger Louis Lloyd and midfield marauder Phil Mooney.

Meanwhile, the dependable expertise of club greats Darren Thomas and Dion Donohue has continued to flourish, and few players have started the season as well as the all-action Sion Bradley, named Cymru Premier Player of the Month for July/August.

With 30 points or thereabouts the unofficial benchmark for a first-phase, top six finish, Caernarfon already have 17 points from 10 games, so are well on course to make it five out of six upper-half placings since regaining CPL status in 2018-19.

REPORT

Barry Town United 0

Caernarfon Town 3 (Clarke 27, Williams 41, Davies 74)

While Caernarfon may have ground out a win at home to Pontypool United the previous weekend, Saturday’s victory at Jenner Park was far more convincing.

The Canaries took the lead on 27 minutes with a ‘clincar’ of a goal.

Dion Donohue lofted a free kick from his own half into the Barry box and Daniel Gosset worked wonders to set up Zack Clarke for a thunderous volley which gave keeper Luc Rees not a hope.

Barry should have equalised when a mix-up at the back presented Kayne McLaggon with a chance.

Keeper Lewis Webb rushed out to tackle the striker, but the ball broke to Keenan Patten who blasted over.

In the 41st minute Caernarfon went two-up when pressure from Clarke left Williams clear to slot home clinically.

The North Wales side continued to dominate in the second half, Iwan Cartwright seeing two headers blocked near the line, one forcing a tremendous save from Rees.

Bradley’s strike from an angle was admirably kept out by Rees, but on 71 minutes came a killer third for the visitors.

This time it was ultra-sharp Williams who robbed the ball and teed up Adam Davies for another crisp finish.

Williams missed an opportunity to make it four before Davies again brought the best out of Rees.

This was a class display from the Canaries.

Team: Lewis Webb, Iwan Cartwright, Dion Donohue, Phil Mooney, Sion Bradley, Daniel Gosset, Ben Maher, Louis Lloyd, Adam Davies, Marc Williams, Zack Clarke. Subs (used): Ben Wynne, Joe Faux, Cai Griffith. Not used: Hari Thomas, Gruff John.