Caernarfon Town 3-0 Bala Town: Canaries claim bragging rights in Gwynedd Derby
Caernarfon, Wales 28 March 2021. JD Cymru Premier League match between Caernarfon Town and Cardiff Metropolitan University, played at The Oval, Caernarfon. Credit: Will Cheshire / Y Clwb Pêl-droed.
Caernarfon Town claimed their first win of Phase Two with an emphatic 3-0 win over Gwynedd rivals Bala Town.
Wrexham loanee Max Cleworth netted his first two goals in professional football with a first-half brace before Sion Bradley ensured the victory for Huw Griffiths side.
The Canaries move to within three points of Barry Town United and could ensure home advantage for the play-offs should they win their next two matches.
Caernarfon started brightly and were on the front foot from the startNoah Edwards looking to create in midfield while Mike Hayes and Jake Bickerstaff were willing runners in an attempt to make something happen.
The first corner of the game fell to the home side and with it, the first goal, Sion Bradley’s kick finding the head of Max Cleworth who had too much space in the box and it was an easy task for the teenager to score his first goal for Caernarfon and it was 1-0 and a deserved lead for the home side.
Bala who were a shadow of themselves looked a slack outfit and were bereft of ideas going forward while the passing in midfield was also of a poor standard. 30 minutes in and the home side wanted a penalty as Hayes rampaging run into the box was stopped by what seemed a Bala hand, but the referee waved away the protests. Paulo Mendes had a chance to make it two but he dragged his shot wide of the goal.
As half-time neared, Caernarfon were looking to make the most of their chances and a few minutes before the half, they made it 2-0 and it was in the same ilk as the first goal as Sion Bradley corner found Cleworth who was on hand to prod the ball past Ramsay to make it 2-0. Caernarfon went into the half with a deserved two goal lead.
Bala made a change at the break with Steven Leslie replacing Jack Mackreth, however, the home side were still on the front foot and on 54 minutes made sure of all three points. A foul on Hayes by Anthony Stephens, gave Sion Bradley the chance to make it three from the resulting free-kick.
That’s just what he did, his strike from the edge of the box was hit fiercely and low past Ramsay into the bottom corner who had no chance and Caernarfon were firmly in the ascendency.
Caernarfon were more likely to get a fourth than Bala were to deny Lewis Brass a clean sheet, both side made chances but none really threatened either keeper.
Some superb defending denied Jake Bickerstaff a fourth for Caernarfon and a Bala header was blocked on the line by Noah Edwards and the game ended in a deserved 3-0 win for the home side.
Caernarfon Town: Lewis Brass, Joe Williams, Gareth Edwards (C), Louis Malandjou-Kondjo, Sion Bradley, Paulo Mendes, Mike Hayes, Noah Edwards, Ryan Williams, Jake Bickerstaff, Max Cleworth.
Bala Town: Alex Ramsay, Andrew Burns, Sean Smith, Anthony Stephens, Jonny Spittle, Will Evans, Henry Jones, Kieran Smith, Antony Kay, Jack Mackreth, Chris Venables (C).
