Report: Paul Evans
Five years ago this week five second-half goals ensured Caernarfon recorded an emphatic victory over fellow North Walians Airbus in the top-flight Cymru Premier.
Darren Thomas was the star of the evening as Caernarfon moved up to fourth position in a midweek romp at The Oval.
Early on, the Wingmakers’ dangerous Alex Darlington put himself in an excellent position when he had just Alex Ramsay to beat after a fine run, but Town’s number one was quick off his line and comfortably kept out the goalbound effort.
George Peers fired just wide of the upright a minute later for the visitors and this second near-miss seemed to stir Caernarfon as they broke quickly upfield through Leo Smith who found Danny Brookwell in the Airbus area and his low strike was saved by the diving Dave Roberts.
Brookwell threatened again when he burst into the box but was tackled as he shot. The ball ran to Jamie Breese, who found the onrushing Roberts at his feet as he attempted to find the net.
Airbus were playing a direct and effective style of football and a long delivery from defence found Andrew Owens, who forced Ramsay into a stunning save.
Roberts denied Sion Bradley twice before the break.
Despite numerous opportunities at both ends, the affair had a strangely flat feel to it and the hosts received a few harsh words from Sean Eardley at the break.
Whatever the Town manager said certainly seemed to work as his charges looked much brighter at the restart.
Gruff John volleyed just wide, then Breese’s vicious hit skimmed the upright with Roberts beaten.
The opener finally arrived just before the hour mark.
Good work by Breese and Smith saw the latter roll the ball across the edge of the penalty area to Thomas, who found the top right hand corner of Roberts’ net with a superb first time strike with the outside of his foot.
Bradley doubled the lead on 66 when, with his back to goal, he deftly controlled the ball and thumped across Roberts and into the far corner.
The Cofis were rampant at this stage and a third goal seemed likely as they peppered the Airbus penalty area. It arrived in the 71st minute when Bradley sent Thomas through and the Cofi Messi slipped the ball past the onrushing Roberts and into the Club End goal.
Bradley created a fourth for Caernarfon as he evaded a tackle in the box before sizzling the ball across the six yard area, where the onrushing Smith poked home.
With referee Dean John ready to blow for time, Sam Jones showed great pace to go around the onrushing Roberts and find the net from an acute angle.
Team: Alex Ramsay, Joe Williams, Gruff John, Gareth Edwards, Ben Clark, Leo Smith, Ryan Williams, Danny Brookwell, Sion Bradley, Darren Thomas, Jamie Breese.
Subs (used): Shaun Cavanagh, Sam Jones. Not used: Nathan Craig, Osian Goulding.
In a season cut short by Covid, Caernarfon finished fifth in the Cymru Premier, while Airbus ended up bottom and were relegated
Caernarfon beat Airbus 3-2 away and, as we’ve reported above, 5-0 at home.
Hannah Slack was on target for Nomads. Picture: FAW BUTE ENERGY WELSH CUP SECOND QUALIFYING…
There was much to celebrate for Holyhead Hotspur after their victory at Bala. Picture: RICKY…
Pwllheli goalkeeper Sara Lacey was a penalty shootout hero again BUTE ENERGY WELSH CUP QR2…
RICHARD BATES captures some action from Kinmel Bay v Denbigh Town (red). Many thanks NORTH…
Mochdre are through to the last 32 of the Welsh Cup for the first time…
Hat-trick star Shannon Jade Jones (red) scores for Felinheli. Picture: PATRICK CAIN - many thanks…