Caernarfon Town 3-1 Holywell Town

The Wellmen looked to progress into the semi final of the Huws Gray League Cup, and faced a difficult tie at league leaders Caernarfon Town.

The game started well for the Wellmen and the first real attack of the game came after 5 minutes. Paul Williams, who started his first game back after a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury, threaded the ball across to Brady McGilloway, and a through ball found Graeme Williams but his shot went over the bar. A few minutes later, Tony Roebuck thread the ball through for Connor Littler, but his first touch took the ball away from him and Paul Pritchard was able to gather the ball.

Caernarfon’s first attempt saw Toby Jones thread the ball across towards Jamie Breese but Dafydd Griffith got back well to block and clear the ball just as Breese was about to shoot. Jonathon Jones then cleared the ball from a Rob Jones shot before another good run by Brady McGilloway saw him beat his marker and delivered a great low ball into the box but the ball was cleared with Littler inches away from getting a touch to the cross.

Breese then brought out a low save from Mike Platt, turning and shooting but Platt gathered well. With 23 miuntes on teh clock, the dangerous Paul Williams then broke clear down the right and his cross come shot fell inches wide of Pritchard’s right hand post. Town then had another chance, Littler beat his man and ran into the box but his low shot crept inches past the post. Ross Ankers was then brought down by Jamie Breese, and the free kick over into the box by Steve Thomas saw Pritchard gather the ball well with Dafydd Griffith lurking to head the ball home. Brady McGilloway then had a shot saved before Littler was brought down in the penalty area but the referee waved play on, and the loose ball fell to McGilloway but his cross was cleared before the Wellmen’s front line could attack the ball.

Town then had a good move involving Paul D Williams and his lay off saw Ross Ankers shoot over. Caernafon’s Rob Jones was then put through before dragging his shot wide, before Mike Platt gathered the ball well at the feet of Kevin Lloyd. As the half drew to a close, the home side took the lead. A Caernarfon move saw the ball fall to Toby Jones, who controlled the ball and fired home past Mike Platt after the Town’s defence failed to clear the ball. It was harsh on the Wellmen and the lads looked to get back into the game during the second half.

The first real chance of the second half fell to Caernarfon Town as Kevin Lloyd had a shot saved by Mike Platt before Town got a more than deserved equaliser. Connor Littler picked up the ball on the edge of the Caernarfon area, and his initial shot was saved by Paul Pritchard, but the loose ball fell to Littler again, who’s shot went into the back of the net, despite Caernarfon’s Gareth Edwards vain attempt at clearing the ball. The goal was no more than the Wellmen deserved and moments later, Tony Roebuck was only inches wide with his shot, then on the hour mark, Littler had another shot which was brilliantly saved by Pritchard to keep the scores at 1-1. Another great run by Graeme Williams saw him get to the by line before crossing across towards Connor Littler, but his shot was again saved well by Pritchard and the ball went out for another corner. Brady McGilloway was only inches wide with an effort before heartache for the Wellmen as the home side took the lead. Rob Jones was brought down and Jay Gibbs stood over the ball to take the free kick and hit it straight into the top corner past Mike Platt.

Paul Williams then had a shot saved as Town looked for the equaliser. Graeme Williams then went on a run into the penalty area and was brought down but no penalty given by the referee, and with Town pressing hard for the equaliser, Caernafon Town’s Danny Brockwell found himself breaking clear past the Wellmen’s defence and his shot nestled into the bottom corner of the goal to give the Cofi’s the victory.

Caernarfon Town were then reduced to 10 men as Sub Zyak Edwards received a red card for a challenge on Steve Thomas. The referee shortly blew his whistle to end the game, and the scoreline would have flattered the home side and wasn’t a true reflection of the game. The Wellmen came off the pitch to a huge round of applause by the travelling supporters who had made the journey down to Caernarfon, and all eyes now turn to Saturday and the visit of Holyhead Hotspur to Halkyn Road.