Caernarfon Town 1-0 Cardiff Met: Mike Hayes sends Canaries into second consecutive final
Caernarfon secured a home play-off final after a narrow 1-0 victory over Cardiff MET. In what proved to be Christian Edwards’ last game in charge, a Mike Hayes goal on the stroke of half-time proved to be the difference between the two teams.
Caernarfon started the game well. Huw Griffiths’ team were certainly eager to impress the crowd in this one. A few early half chances from Mike Hayes, Noah Edwards and Darren Thomas went astray however the home team dominated possession for most of the first half. Cardiff Met were happy to try and play on the counter however Adam Roscrow looked a lonely figure up top. Mike Hayes should have opened the scoring in 26th minute however the veteran striker dragged his shot wide. Just a few seconds earlier Caernarfon had a shot from Darren Thomas cleared off the line.
It took until the 45th minute for the breakthrough. A Danny Gosset cross from the left hand side went long and found Bobby Beaumont on the other side, Beaumont’s cross was on a plate for Mike Hayes who prodded home from 3 yards and gave the home team a deserved lead. Cardiff Met nearly equalised straight after with their first shot on goal. Eliiot Evans testing Jakub Orzynski but the young Pole did well to parry the shot away from danger.
Christian Edwards’ side started the second half much better. It was the visitors turn to dominate possession however Jakub Orzynski was still untested in the goal. Caernarfon took a much different role in the second period by trying to play on the counter attack. However as lonely Adam Roscrow was in the first half, Mike Hayes looked the same until he was replaced by Cai Jones.
Caernarfon nearly sealed the game but Cai Jones saw his header cleared off the line. Met saw a free-kick from Adam Roscrow sail wide and chances fell to Eliot Evans and Matthew Chubb but they were also off the mark. Caernarfon faced sustained pressure in the final few minutes but did enough to hold on to earn a place in the final.
Caernarfon will play Flint on Saturday, May 14th for a place in the Irn-Bru cup next season. It may not have been the European spot both clubs were hoping for however both clubs will be motivated by how well Welsh clubs have previously performed in the cup and will see it as a chance of some extra silverware.
Player Ratings
Caernarfon.
Jakub Orzynski – 7.
Gruff John – 8.
Dion Donohue – 8.
Danny Gosset – 8.
Mike Hayes – 9.
Darren Thomas – 6.
Noah Edwards – 7.
Joe Faux – 7.
Laurie Bell – 8.
Bobby Beaumont -8.
Cai Jones – 6.
Cardiff Met.
Alex Lang – 7.
Matthew Chubb – 7.
Kyle McCarthy – 6.
Emlyn Lewis – 7.
Chris Baker – 6.
Adam Roscrow – 5.
Harry Owen – 6.
Joe Evans – 6.
Chris Craven – 7.
Tom Davies – 7.
