JD Cymru Premier: Caernarfon stay level with The New Saints after win over Nomads, Bala edge victory at Bay
JD CYMRU PREMIER REPORTS – TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
Connah’s Quay Nomads 1 Caernarfon Town 2
Three days after the disappointment of losing their unbeaten record, Caernarfon bounced back in grand style to take all three points against Nomads at the Essity Stadium.
Richard Davies’ side returned to winning ways and remain level on points with leaders The new Saints.
The Cofis took a 15th minute lead when a Sion Bradley free kick from the left resulted in a Iwan Lewis shot being blocked, but Ryan Sears was on hand from the rebound to apply a calm finish.
The hosts soon won a free kick outside the box which Rhys Hughes struck fiercely, but Connor Roberts got down well to save.
Nomads had a big chance to equalise when Iwan Lewis was adjudged to have handled a Noah Edwards shot in the box, but Zeli Ismael dragged his penalty disappointingly wide.
Hughes went really close from a low drive which missed the target by inches before half time.
Caernarfon doubled their lead just past the hour when a Bradley corner caused an almighty scramble in the Nomads six-yard box and Sam Downey blasted into the net.
Sub Max Woodcock cut the deficit on 76 minutes when he received the ball via a Hughes back-heel and fired a shot above Roberts which dipped in under the bar. The Town keeper should probably have done better.
Late on, Woodcock brought the ball down smartly in the box and fired for goal, but this time Roberts produced a vital save.
Colwyn Bay 0 Bala Town 1
Bay should have been out of sight before Bala performed a smash-and-grab at the end of the first half when Hussein Mehasseb headed home a Nathan Burke corner at the near post.
It was the Lakesiders’ first effort on goal after Colwyn Bay had earlier threatened on numerous occasions.
Joel Torrance concocted a triple save, first keeping out a Uniss Kargbo volley before denying Aeron Edwards twice from close range.
Jordan Davies’ 25-yard free kick rattled the post, Edwards glanced a header inches wide and a Louis Robles effort flew straight at the keeper – the Seagulls were out of luck.
Then came Mehasseb’s goal and in the second half Bala did created more chances, their scorer and Dominic McGiveron both thwarted by fine stops from Alex Brown.
Bay had one last chance to force an equaliser, but Nathan Peate headed straight at Torrance.
The New Saints 4 Flint Town United 2
Flint gave the champions a great battle before a late fourth goal from the hosts finally killed off the Silkmen’s brave challenge.
Saints took a sixth-minute lead with a magical volley from Jordan Williams after Ryan Brobbel had skilfully flicked on.
Williams raced into the box from halfway looking for a second, but Jack Flint saved well, then the visitors equalised on 27, Sidi Fofana rifling an unstoppable left-foot strike into the top corner.
In the 45th minute Brobbel could not miss from close range after Danny Davies’ initial effort was blocked.
Early in the second half, Ben Wilson made it 3-1 with a deadly finish on the turn after more fine work from Williams.
Wilson then sped clear from halfway, but Flint got a vital touch to divert his shot for a corner.
Against the run of play, Flint pulled one back on 82, Darren Stephenson tapping in after a superb delivery from sub Elliott Reeves.
And the Silkmen thought they had forced the ball over the line from a scramble for the equaliser only for the referee to award Saints a free kick.
In the dying stages, the league leaders caught Flint on the counter, a Harry Owen error allowing Ken Charles through to make it 4-2.