Cymru Premier report: Caernarfon Town edge a thriller in revenge win against Penybont

JD CYMRU PREMIER LEAGUE – FEBRUARY 22

Caernarfon Town 3 (A Davies 7 & 51, Hudson 72)
Penybont 2 (Crole 57 & 63)

Revenge was sweet for Caernarfon as they beat a Penybont side they lost to twice in the first phase – including 5-1 at the Carling Oval in November.

The South Wales outfit, who pushed leaders The New Saints hard in the first part of the campaign, are without a win in phase two and despite fighting back from two-down to level on Saturday, they ended up losers again.

Recent memories of clashes with Rhys Griffiths’ men had not all been painful for Cofis fans, as Richard Davies’ side had triumphed 3-1 against the Bridgend boys in last season’s Europa Conference League play-off final.

And Town were the team in the better form before this latest battle, with three wins, a draw and just a single loss – an unfortunate 1-0 reverse to TNS – in their last five league outings.

Caernarfon took the lead in the seventh minute when Paulo Mendes’ curling effort was diverted into the net by the head of striker Adam Davies.

Penybont went close to equalising when a great run from Gabriel Kirkcough saw him pass to Chris Venables, whose fierce shot was palmed over the bar by Ben Hughes.

Controversy before the break when Owen Pritchard curled a cross into the box and Hughes appeared to gather before the ball ended up in the net off James Crole’s head.

Referee Thomas Owen decided Crole had illegally headed out of the keeper’s hands, much to Penybont’s annoyance, the visitors claiming Hughes had lost control of the ball.

Six minutes into the second half, it was 2-0 to the yellow and greens.

Phil Mooney’s header travelled into the path of Davies, who finished expertly left-footed for his seventh goal of 2024-25.

Penybont were far from finished, however.

On 57 minutes, Kane Owen’s smart throw-in released Keyon Reffell, who laid the ball back for Crole who finished clinically.

Then after 63, Caernarfon failed to clear Owen’s corner and Crole netted again with a left-foot drive.

Crole was like a man possessed as he went for the hat-trick, his fierce low shot well saved by Hughes.

However, the tables turned on 72 minutes when Blaine Hudson, on loan from TNS, knocked in Matty Hill’s long throw.

Caernarfon top-scorer Louis Lloyd then hit the post before home keeper Hughes rounded off another fine display with a magnificent stop from an added-time Kirkcough free kick.

A really entertaining game for the crowd of 475.