Cofis beat TNS away: a stunning victory for Richard Davies’ Oval heroes

JD CYMRU PREMIER – WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9

The New Saints 1 (Smith 12)
Caernarfon Town 2 (Clarke 34, Lloyd 82)

Caernarfon Town claimed their first victory over Cymru Premier champions The New Saints in 16 attempts with a superb performance at Park Hall on Wednesday night.

Not since defeating TNS 1-0 at The Oval on October 4, 2019 through a 71st minute Jamie Breese goal had the Cofis earned a win over the record 16-time title lifters and current group stage participants in the Uefa Conference League.

Town’s last triumph at Park Hall came in 2018-19, the Canaries’ first season back in the top flight after a 10-year-absence, when an 86th minute Nathan Craig penalty secured a 1-0 success.

Tonight brought a third defeat in four league games for a Saints outfit sitting sixth in the table, while Caernarfon rose up to third.

Anyone reading this evening’s scoreline thinking it might have been a smash-and-grab, backs to the wall effort from the Cofis could not be more wrong.

This was an open game, full of chances at both ends, and few would deny the visitors ran out worthy winners.

Town had the first chance when Zack Clarke broke to the byline down the left, but instead of squaring the ball tried to stab it past keeper Connor Roberts, who made the save.

Saints looked set to score when a fine pass from Danny Redmond picked out Declan McManus, but 17–year-old keeper Hari Thomas produced a really good stop.

Saints broke the deadlock on 12 minutes when Redmond’s pass found ex-Canary Leo Smith, who made space and drilled home from 20 yards.

Soon after, Matty Hill raced into the box for the visitors, but saw his shot kept out by Roberts when a square pass to Louis Lloyd might have been a better option.

Clarke was then in space in the penalty area, but shot too early and enabled Roberts to make a fairly comfortable save.

Ex-Caernarfon attacker Sion Bradley released Ben Clark, whose final pass was disappointing with McManus in an almost perfect scoring position.

The equaliser arrived on 34 minutes when good pressing from Ryan Sears led to Joe Faux receiving the ball, driving low into the six-yard box and Clarke applied a classy finish.

Hill then lashed a fierce effort just wide to bring an end to an exciting first half.

HALF-TIME: THE NEW SAINTS 1-1 CAERNARFON TOWN

Caernarfon posed the first threat of the second half when Clarke capitalised on Redmond’s slackness and raced into the area, but hammered a shot against the underside of the bar.

Sub Aramide Jay Oteh forced a fine save from Thomas before Hill’s cracking strike on the turn went very close.

Town were on top now and a deep cross to the back post was met by Clarke’s head, but fortunately for the champions the ball hit the covering Danny Davies on the back.

Saints went desperately close when Redmond’s header came back off the bar and Clark met the rebound none too convincingly, Philip Mooney managing to clear his bobbling volley off the line.

Then came the winner on 82 minutes.

Clarke sent a lovely ball over the TNS defence, releasing Lloyd who calmly beat the advancing Roberts with left-foot precision.

The hosts pressed late, young Thomas with another super save from Oteh before Brobbel’s free kick did not miss by much.

However, it was the Caernarfon fans who were doing all the celebrating at the final whistle.