Unbelievable drama as Caernarfon Town win an intense European tie on penalties

UEFA CONFERENCE LEAGUE FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND SECOND LEG

Crusaders 3 (Clarke 46, Larmour 49, Lowry 72)
Caernarfon Town 1 (Mendes 24)
Aggregate 3-3 – Caernarfon win 8-7 on penalties

They did it the hard way, but arglwydd mawr they did it!

After taking a 3-0 aggregate lead in Wednesday’s second leg in Belfast, Caernarfon Town were pegged back to 3-3 and penalties were needed to settle the contest.

In a heartstopping shoot-out which went to sudden death, Cofis keeper Stephen McMullan saved two and Marc Williams put away the decisive kick to earn Richard Davies’ side a fairytale second qualifying round tie against Polish giants Legia Warsaw.

Having won the first leg 2-0 at Nantporth Stadium in Bangor six days ago, the Canaries knew the tie was far from over, but a superb strike from Paulo Mendes on 24 minutes put them three-ahead overall when half-time was reached.

It appeared the Cymru Premier Euro first-timers had one foot firmly in the next round, but NIFL outfit Crusaders launched a mighty fightback in the second period.

Within four minutes of the restart, Crues were 2-1 ahead.

Ross Clarke’s free-kick, misjudged by keeper McMullan, made it one-apiece, then on 49 Daniel Larmour headed home Clarke’s corner.

For the first time in the tie, Caernarfon were really under the cosh, but they managed to stem the tide for a while.

Lewis Barr went close for the hosts before Philip Lowry had a goalbound shot bravely blocked by Mendes.

Then, in the 72nd minute, Seaview erupted. Lowry latched onto James Teelan’s long throw and finished smartly to make it 3-1.

Under old European rules, Caernarfon would still have been ahead on away goals, but that regulation no longer applies.

Jarlath O’Rourke and Lowry had efforts for the hosts, who were dynamic in the second half and pushing for a winner, but Town held out to force extra time.

The added half-hour was short on clear goalscoring opportunities, so the Cofis’ very first European venture was to be decided on the dreaded spot kicks.

Phillip Mooney, Louis Lloyd and Darren Thomas made way for Marc Williams, Sam Downey and Osian Evans as the visitors competed well and ensured a shoot-out.

PENALTIES

1-0 Crusaders: Ben Kennedy scores
1-1: Daniel Gosset nets for Caernarfon
2-1: Jordan Forsythe puts Crues ahead
2-2: Paulo Mendes equalises
3-2: Daniel Larmour converts for hosts
3-3: Morgan Owen scores a retaken penalty. First was saved but the keeper moved off line.
4-3: Jay Boyd finds the bottom corner for the NIFL Premiership side.
4-4: No mistake from Caernarfon’s Zack Clarke
5-4: James Teelan makes it five out of five for Crusaders
5-5: Josef Faux completes a perfect set for the Cymru Premier hopefuls
SUDDEN DEATH
6-5: Jarlaith O’Rourke finds the top corner
6-6: Caernarfon keeper McMullan has the courage to take a kick and scores!
7-6: Philip Lowry puts away another for the hosts
7-7: Sam Downey nets for the visitors – 14 kicks taken, 14 scored
7-7: SAVED – McMullan denies Lewis Barr
7-7: SAVED – Gruff John is thwarted by a Jonny Tuffey stop
7-7: SAVED: Another McMullan save, this time from Jordan Owens
7-8: CAERNARFON WIN! Veteran ace Marc Williams scores and wins the tie!