Goals from Sion Bradley and Daniel Gosset secured a first home win since September for Caernarfon. The Cofis have suffered at home this season and were thumped 4-0 by Newtown last time out. But one of their better performances of the season secured all three points against a dogged Flint side. Mike Wilde’s first half header was not enough as Flint suffered thier third consecutive defeat.
Both teams started the game brightly. Caernarfon looking to put some passes together while Flint were looking to their talisman Mike Wilde. It was the home side who opened the scoring. Darren Thomas found himself in space and threaded a superb ball to Sion Bradley. The 24 year old winger finished brilliantly and gave Ryan Woods no chance in the visiting goal. A neat side foot finish and the home side were 1-0 up in the 7th minute.
Flint nearly leveled straight from the kick-off. Mark Cadwallader was denied at close range by Jakub Orzynski. From the resulting corner, Cadwallader found himself unmarked but mistimed his header and the chance was lost. Wilde was the next to have a go but the 38 year old fluffed his lines and Orzynski saved easily.
Flint were level in the 17th minute and it was typical Mike Wilde. From a right sided corner, Wilde made a trademark front post run, and his deft header was enough to beat Orzynski. The veteran striker netting his 14th goal of the season. The game ebbed and flowed as both sides looked for their second. The final pass was lacking by both.
The home side re-took the lead in the 38th minute. Rob Hughes controlled beautifully from a deep cross and was able to tee up Danny Gosset who rifled it past Woods. Seconds later Hughes nearly made it three. His right foot shot nearly caught out Woods who was scrambling however the ball trickled past the post. Just before the half Hughes again nearly made it three. A trademark run from the midfielder saw him one on one, but Woods was on hand to deny. 2-1 to the home side at the half.
The second half started in the same manner as the first. Both teams looking to score early. Caernarfon looking to create some breathing space. Flint looking to get back into it. Jake Phillips nearly set up Cadwallader for the equaliser. A lovely pass from the man who’s famed for his throws however Cadwallader was not on the same wavelength and the chance was gone.
Caernarfon should have secured all three points in the 62nd minute. Sion Bradley doing well in possession and his pass put Joe Faux through on goal. The Cefn Druids loanee’s shot was saved brilliantly by Woods. The rebound fell to Mike Hayes but the striker could not sort his feet out and scuffed his shot wide of the goal.
Flint failed to trouble Orzynski in the second half. Neil Gibson’s side lacking that cutting edge to score a second. Jake Phillips did have a free-kick but it was saved easily by the young Polish keeper. The home side defended valiantly and made sure that the away side could not create anything meaningful. It ended 2-1 to Caernarfon and it’s a precious three points for them.
Huw Griffiths and assistant Richard Davies weren’t in the dugout tonight due to positive Covid tests. It was academy manager Dave Cavanagh who took charge and three will be immensely proud of the effort and determination shown by the players. A first home win since September and three points that take Caernarfon to 4th in the Championship Conference. Flint fall to sixth and three consecutive defeats will have Neil Gibson worried that their season could finish with a whimper.
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