Novira Cymru Premier: Caernarfon triumph in eight-goal classic, Nomads and Llandudno victorious again
NORTH WALES FOOTBALL SCORES – FRIDAY, AUGUST 28
NOVIRA CYMRU PREMIER – PHASE ONE
Holywell Town 3 Caernarfon Town 5
An eight-goal Cymru Premier classic featured a Zack Clarke hat-trick which proved crucial in Caernarfon’s victory.
Clarke has scored in every league game so far for the Cofis, producing seven goals in five starts – top-class form.
The goals started flowing in the 15th minute, Caernarfon’s Sion Bradley flashing home a fierce volley after an Adrian Cieslewicz cross was only half-cleared high into the air.
The visitors doubled their tally on 35, Jake Canavan’s through ball releasing Clarke to apply a clinical finish.
In first half added time, Holywell pulled one back when Fabrizio Murtas flicked home a Luke McGiveron corner at the near post.
However, the Canaries restored their two-goal lead in no time when Bradley’s shot was kept out by keeper Alex Swindell, but Clarke bundled in the rebound.
Holywell rallied at the start of the second half, Murtas playing the ball to the left where Caio Hughes worked it onto his right foot and curled a cross-shot in at the far stick.
In the 51st minute Clarke was celebrating a hat-trick when he netted at close range after Chris Marriott headed on a Bradley cross.
The Wellmen refused to fold and made it 4-3 in the 64th minute. A penalty was awarded for handball by Paulo Mendes and Florian Yonsian converted from the spot.
Caernarfon went 5-3 up in the 72nd minute with the best goal of the lot – a 25-yard cracker from Noah Edwards.
Richard Davies’ men thought they had a sixth Offrande Zanzala won a duel to a high bouncing ball with keeper Swindell and found the net, but the goal was disallowed via VAR Light for a foul by the substitute.
Llandudno 2 Haverfordwest County 0
Llandudno’s great start to life back in the top flight continued as they made it four wins out of five at the expense of 10-man Haverfordwest.
In a goalless first half, Tudno’s Marc Williams was shown a red card after a challenge on keeper Ifan Knott, but the punishment was reduced to a yellow after referee Aaron Wyn Jones consulted the pitchside monitor.
County’s Panashe Makwiramini was not so fortunate in the 41st minute when he was red-carded for a bad challenge – and rightly so.
Llandudno made the most of having the extra man in the second half, Ross Weaver putting them in front from a 54th minute goalmouth scramble. A very scrappy goal – but they all count.
Haverfordwest blew a couple of great chances to equalise before the Seasiders made the points safe in the 84th minute.
Sub Liam Higgins combined smartly with fellow replacement Cammron Morris before bursting clear to make it 2-0.
Barry Town United 4 Airbus UK Broughton 2
Leaders Barry maintained their 100 % record with a win over a hard-working Airbus.
Owen Brain (2), Owen Cuddihy and Jack Shaw shared the home goals, George Peers and Jordan Evans responding for the Wingmakers.
Connah’s Quay Nomads 3 Cambrian United 0
Nomads sit third with four wins in five starts after seeing off Cambrian at the Essity.
Iwan Murray struck twice for John Disney’s side, scoring in the 35th and 94th minutes after Callum West put the hosts ahead with just two played, Murray with the assist.
Penybont 1 Flint Town United 1
Lassana Mendes rescued a point for Flint when he rolled home an 89th minute equaliser for the Silkmen.
Tom Mehew had edged Penybont in front after eight, but Rhys Griffiths’ side were frustrated by Lee Fowler’s warriors again, as they were in last season’s Welsh Cup defeat to the Silkmen at Dragonbet Stadium Bridgend.
The New Saints 5 Colwyn Bay 1
A walloping for the Bay at the champions, Josh Lock (2), Jordan Williams, Rhys Hughes (pen) and Dominic Corness splitting the home goals, Nathan Peate replying.