Caernarfon Town cruised to victory in their Welsh Cup tie with Denbigh Town in front of a bumper crowd at Central Park.
A bumper crowd witnessed Denbigh Town’s first home game in over 18 months, but it wasn’t Denbigh’s night as Caernarfon secured a comfortable victory.
Cai Jones opened the scoring in the first ten minutes before Iwan Cartwright added a second. Rob Hughes scored either side of half-time to secure the victory.
Denbigh were without experienced centre-back Stuart Jones, whilst Caernarfon had Josh Bailey and Bobby Beaumont making their debuts.
Kristian Pierce came close to opening the scoring in the opening five minutes. The midfielder took an optimistic shot from 35 yards out, which was only narrowly over the bar.
Just a minute later, Caernarfon did open the scoring through Cai Jones. Josh Bailey played a super pass to Hughes, who stretched to pass the ball across to Jones. Jones just about got to the ball in time to tap in and give the Cofis the lead.
Denbigh came close again through a long shot. Lee Davey spotted Tyler French off his line, and the midfielder hit a half volley from 25 yards, which didn’t find the target.
Caernarfon doubled their lead through Iwan Cartwright’s first goal for Caernarfon. Rob Hughes delivered a corner which goalkeeper Griffith tried to claim but completely missed, and Cartwright was left with a free header.
After two assists for Caernarfon’s first two goals, it was now Rob Hughes’ turn to get on the scoresheet. The attacker got onto the end of a long ball to slot it home and all but secure the victory before the half-time whistle.
The second half was a scrappier affair, with chances few and far between. Rob Hughes came closest to adding to Caernarfon’s lead after his shot fizzed past the post. Lee Davey had a good chance to get Denbigh back in the game, but his header following a great cross from Roberts was comfortably saved by French.
Denbigh’s substitutes did look lively but failed to convert the action into clear-cut chances.
Caernarfon created more chances in the final ten minutes, and Rob Hughes then doubled his tally for the evening. His second goal was very similar to the first, picking up the ball on the right-hand side and slotting it home.
Denbigh nearly secured a consolation goal in the dying minutes. Walker’s header was tipped away by French, before Cartwright got back to clear it off the line.
Player Of The Match: Rob Hughes (Caernarfon Town)
The attacker has impressed since joining from Flint, and he carried on his fine form on Friday evening. Hughes set up Caernarfon’s first two goals, before getting onto the scoresheet himself twice.
Caernarfon Town manager Huw Griffiths said: “The Welsh Cup is huge for everyone, it’s massive. We’re now three games from the final. That’s what people need to think about, and it’s the easiest way to get into Europe.
“There’ll be upsets in this cup, and we aren’t one of them, so that’s very important.”
Denbigh Town manager Dewi Llion said: “I’m very proud (of the team’s performance). Caernarfon dominated the first half, then we changed things in the second half. I think if we’d used the same system as the second half it would have been a different game.
“I think in situations like this you learn more about your own players, who steps up, who rolls up their sleeves, who shows a bit of heart.”
Denbigh: Joe Griffith, Mathew Morris, Billy Holmes, Mike Sharples, Moses Barnett, Will Ashley, Leigh Craven (Jake Walker 62′), Kristian Pierce (Sam Tate 69′), Lee Davey, Jacob Barratt (Mark Roberts 62′), Paul Fleming (C)
Unused Substitutes: Sam Jones, Sion Jones
Yellow Cards: Will Ashley 68, Moses Barnett 72′
Caernarfon: Tyler French, Iwan Cartwright, Josh Bailey (Ryan Williams 69′), Gruffydd John, Dion Donohue (C), Danny Gosset, Darren Thomas, Rob Hughes, Noah Edwards (Caio Evans 62′), Cai Jones (Gwion Dafydd 50′), Bobby Beaumont
Unused Substitutes: Steve Evans, Mike Hayes
Goals: Cai Jones 9, Iwan Cartwright 36, Rob Hughes 43, 82′
Yellow Card: Rob Hughes 72′
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