WELSH CUP: Holders Caernarfon turn on the style in second half to reach last 32

FAW WELSH CUP ROUND TWO

Flint Town United 1 (Owolabi 5)
Caernarfon Town 3 (Charsley 7, Clarke 66, Bradley pen 73)

Holders Caernarfon advanced to the last 32 at the expense of the team they beat in last season’s final.

It was not as straightforward for the Cofis on Saturday evening as it had been in April’s 3-0 victory at Rodney Parade, but a strong and dominant second half display from Richard Davies’ side ensured they won comfortably enough.

The main difference between tonight’s round two tie and the final six months ago was the start.

Unlike in the final, where Caernarfon were three-up in no time, it was Flint who scored first at the Essity.

From their first attack in the fifth minute, Tunde Owolabi lashed the Silkmen in front after an initial shot was blocked.

Just two minutes later, Harry Charsley was found in space at the back post to head in his first goal for the Canaries.

The rest of the first half was pretty even, although Ben Nash and Paulo Mendes should have done better with close range headers for the visitors.

Flint could have regained the lead when the Cofis dithered at the back and it needed sharp work from keeper Connor Roberts to foil the Silkmen.

Caernarfon soon got on top in the second half and it was only a matter of time before they scored.

Home keeper Jack Flint did well to produce three good stops in quick succession, denying Mendes, Sion Bradley and Zack Clarke, Mikey Burke hitting the post for Flint via a cross-shot in between.

The holders were knocking hard on the door, though, and nudged themselves in front on 66 minutes.

Adrian Cieslewicz broke free down the left, his cross rebounded off Flint against the bar, but Clarke was able to convert from virtually on the goal-line for his 13th goal of the campaign.

Caernarfon won a penalty on 73 after Clarke was brought down in the box by Harry Dean and Bradley netted from the spot.

Noah Edwards almost added a fourth when his left-foot drive struck the upright.

The visitors were well in command by now and saw out the win comfortably.