Cymru Premier: Fantastic result for Caernarfon as they break Nomads jinx

JD CYMRU PREMIER – MARCH 15

Caernarfon Town 2 (Lloyd 53, M Williams 58)
Connah’s Quay Nomads 1 (Davies pen 90+4)

Joy at The Carling Oval for Caernarfon Town tonight as they celebrated their first Cymru Premier win over Connah’s Quay Nomads in 15 attempts.

In their first season back in the top flight, 2018-19, Town had defeated Nomads twice, but since then had only managed four draws and suffered 10 defeats against the Deesiders in the CPL.

Although the Cofis earned a good 1-1 draw at the Quay last month, their previous three meetings with Neil Gibson’s side this term had ended in 6-1, 4-1 (Welsh Cup) and 4-0 defeats.

Nomads’ social media made a point of highlighting this statistic before the game, but a new script exists now as by the final whistle their long and successful run against the Canaries in the Cymru Premier was over.

And what a thrilling encounter this evening’s clash proved to be.

Inside the first 15 seconds, Nomads earned a penalty when Jordan Davies showed great skill down the left before crossing to Harry Franklin, who was brought down by Daniel Gosset.

Up stepped Davies to take the kick, but Lewis Webb guessed the right way and grasped the admittedly rather weak effort.

Just a minute later, Sion Bradley curled a free kick into the penalty area and Gruff Williams volleyed against the post for the hosts.

Town threatened again when Darren Thomas’ cross was met by a powerful header from Adam Davies.

Nomads keeper Andy Firth made what looked like a great save, but the ball appeared to cross the goal-line.

Marc Williams then had a close range effort deflected behind for a corner as Caernarfon maintained their excellent start.

It was so nearly 1-0 to the home side before half time when Bradley’s pass released Louis Lloyd, who rounded the keeper but his attempt was cleared off the line by Kai Edwards.

Half-time: 0-0

Eight minutes into the second half Caernarfon deservedly broke the deadlock when Lloyd’s volley found the right-hand corner of the net beyond the dive of Firth.

Five minutes later it was 2-0 – and what a fantastic goal.

Great work initally by Bradley on the left led to a sublime whipped cross from Dion Donohue which was headed into the net in bullet-like fashion by Marc Williams.

Bradley was inches away with a free kick before Webb produced a phemonenal tip over for the Canaries, changing direction in mid-air to keep out a Ryan Harrington volley.

Four minutes into added time Nomads were given a second penalty after Franklin went down from a wild swipe by Joe Faux.

Davies converted, but any other result than a Caernarfon win on this night would have been a travesty.

CAERNARFON TOWN v CONNAH’S QUAY NOMADS – 2018-19 to 2023-24

2023-24
Mar 15: Caernarfon 2 Nomads 1 (Cymru Premier League)
Feb 2: Nomads 1 Caernarfon 1
Oct 27: Nomads 6 Caernarfon 1 (CPL)
Oct 14: Nomads 4 Caernarfon 1 (Welsh Cup)
Sep 1: Caernarfon 0 Nomads 4 (CPL)

2022-23
Nov 18: Nomads 3 Caernarfon 3 (CPL)
Sep 27: Caernarfon 0 Nomads 2 (CPL)

2021-22
Nov 9: Caernarfon 0 Nomads 1 (CPL)
Aug 31: Nomads 1 Caernarfon 1 (CPL)

2020/21
May 8: Nomads 4 Caernarfon 0 (CPL)
Apr 13: Caernarfon 1 Nomads 6 (CPL)
Nov 13: Caernarfon 1 Nomads 2 (CPL)
Oct 6: Nomads 3 Caernarfon 0 (CPL)

2019/20
Feb 14: Nomads 4 Caernarfon 0 (CPL)
Oct 15: Nomads 4 Caernarfon 2 (CPL)
Aug 23: Caernarfon 0 Nomads 0 (CPL)

2018/19
Apr 5: Caernarfon 1 Nomads 0 (CPL)
Mar 1: Caernarfon 1 Nomads 2 (Welsh Cup)
Feb 9: Nomads 6 Caernarfon 2 (CPL)
Oct 26: Caernarfon 0 Nomads 0 (CPL)
Sep 11: Nomads 0 Caernarfon 1 (CPL)