Caernarfon Town 1-4 The New Saints: Saints maintain 100% start in fine finishing display
TNS were just too strong for Caernarfon Town at The Oval this afternoon as a 4 goal 45 minute blitz saw them breeze past the Canaries.
Louis Robles scored two quick fire headers as Dean Ebbe and Ben Clark added more gloss to the scoreline.
Caernarfon lined up in another makeshift backline shape as they struggle with key injuries to center back Gareth Edwards and left back Jack Fleming. Joe Williams moved into the center of defence and Sam Jones filled the right back position. Jonathan Anderson made his debut at left back in place of makeshift left back Danny Brookwell. Ryan Williams and Josh Tibbetts the remaining of the back 5. Cai Jones the only other change from last week’s 3-1 defeat at Barry Town, he started as striker Asa Hamilton injured himself in the warm up.
TNS lined up with 3 changes from their 2-0 win against Cardiff Metropolitan too. Dean Ebbe replacing Greg Draper, Kwame Boateng replacing Ben Clark at right back and Jamie Mullen making way for Louis Robles.
Despite the scoreline, the Cofi’s were the first to test either keeper. Darren Thomas got a tame header towards Paul Harrison’s goal from a lofted free kick downfield which was easily caught by the TNS captain in the 6th minute. TNS got their first meaningful chance of the tie 3 minutes later as Dean Ebbe tested Josh Tibbetts with a low header from a cross which the cofi stopper saved well and the resulting rebound went behind for a Caernarfon goal kick. A couple of minutes later TNS had a good move with Redmond spraying a pass crossfield to the impressive Kwame Boateng, who controller and swung a dangerous ball into the Caernarfon box, but Dean Ebbe’s controlled chest down had too much on it and it rolled for Tibbetts to collect.
At this point TNS were well into their stride and controlling possession of the ball well without making too many clear cut chances. Ryan Astles found himself with a very presentable opportunity in the 21st minute as he poked wide at the back post from a looping cross but it went wide of the goal. Danny Redmond was brilliant during the entire game and was dictating a lot of TNS’s play. He was back playing in his preferred midfield position having had to fill in for Marriott at left back in recent games. He fired in a cross from wide on the 25th minute which just evaded Dean Ebbe in the middle.
Josh Tibbetts made amends for his mis hit kick up field in the 26th minute as a combination of him and Ryan Williams did well to keep the scores level after ex Canary Leo Smith controlled the opposition goalkeeper’s kick upfield, drove at Caernarfon’s defence and slipped a team mate in on goal.
TNS’s were probing but couldn’t find the breakthrough, they did however put the goal in the net just before half time, however the linesman raised his flag for offside to rescue the Cofi’s. On the stroke of half time Tibbetts made a very good save to deny Smith from scoring against his old side as TNS played a nice triangle around Jonathan Anderson at left back, which resulted in Smith being put through on goal on the right side of the home side’s box. Tibbetts came out quickly and saved the shot with his feet for a corner, which he then claimed at the back post when it was over hit. The refaree blew his whistle for half time and the warning signs had been there for Caernarfon late in that half.
The Saints picked up from where they left off in the second half. Passing the ball around nicely and left back Chris Marriott flashed a shot over the bar from a tight angle after a floating ball towards the back post in the 49th minute. Caernarfon had possibly their best chance of the match on the 56th minute, Noah Edwards found Mike Hayes with a searching ball, he rounded the onrushing Paul Harrison, but couldn’t get enough power on his weaker left foot to beat the defender Astles who cleared off the line.
TNS immediately punished the home side as they went up the other end and scored, the sumptuous Danny Redmond swinging in a teasing ball which Robles headed expertly past Josh Tibbetts curling into the keeper’s right hand corner. TNS deservedly ahead 1-0. They only got better once they got the goal and really started hitting their stride playing some beautiful football. They doubled their advantage in the 66th minute. Robles again with a fantastic header from a Marriott cross from a short corner, it looped out of the goalkeeper’s reach into the same corner as his first goal found. 2-0 to the Saints.
Things went from bad to worse for the Cofi’s as winger Adrian Cieslewicz beat his man down the left, dragged a ball into the middle which found an awaiting Dean Ebbe ready to get onto the scoresheet too where he tapped in from 12 yards for the Saints 3rd goal. Game, set and match as they say. Both teams made changes as Tom Holland on a yellow made way for Jon Routledge and Dean Ebbe made way for Greg Draper for the away side. Sam Jones for Louis Augustin and Jonathan Anderson for Danny Brookwell for the home side.
Tibbetts produced a great save in the 72nd minute to deny Louis Robles the match ball. He rushed out to meet the ex Bala forward and stayed on his feet to palm away Robles cheeky chip over the home side’s keeper. Leo Smith’s return to The Oval was over in the 77th minute as he was replaced by ex Caernarfon loanee Ben Clark. Smith had played well and caused his old side problems throughout. Robles again engineered himself a chance to shoot at goal, this time from ranged but flashed his effort wide of Tibbetts goal. Caernarfon academy product Cian Evans came on for Cai Jones in the 80th minute in a proud moment for the 17 year old.
The third goal really killed Caernarfon and you could see that it had knocked the wind out their sails. TNS were passing it around as if it was a training exercise. A neat passing move involving Robles again almost resulted in his hat trick goal, but his left footed shot from an unfavourable angle was tame and Tibbetts caught it easily. The Saints were going through the motions and moving the ball nicely and in the 93rd minute with seconds left to go Ben Clark added further finesse to the scoreline by scoring a stunning 4th from around 30 yards. It was a brilliant turn and shot from him and capped off a brilliant performance from TNS where they were simply too good for their opposition on the day. They were left frustrated in the first half but got their just deserts in the second half. The final whistle blew immediately after Clark’s goal and the Saints top the table with a perfect record. 3 games, 3 wins and a +9 goal difference. Caernarfon understandably found it difficult against the full time professionals and they now have 4 points from the opening 4 games but more worryingly have now conceded 9 goals in their last 3 games. TNS look like the real deal and will surely be the favourites to claim back their title come the end of the season.
Caernarfon have a chance to bounce back Wednesday night when they welcome Flint Town United where Nathan Craig will potentially play against his hometown club. TNS have their toughest test of the season so far as they play a Bala Town side which are fresh off a brilliant 5-1 away victory at Penybont.
(Featured Image: Colin Ewart)
