Cymru Premier: Barry Town make big response, and Haverfordwest County’s momentum continues

It’s been a busy week in the Cymru Premier, with several high-scoring matches helping to shape the early-season table.

Two games with five total goals proved entertaining viewing, whilst TNS’ manager, Craig Harrison, saw red. Barry bounced back after last week’s loss, and Haverfordwest extended their unbeaten streak to three games with a landmark win over Briton Ferry.

Airbus UK Broughton 0:2 The New Saints

Goalscorers: Daniel Williams (TNS, 29′), Rory Holden (TNS, 38′)
Red Cards: Craig Harrison (TNS, HT)

TNS extended their unbeaten streak to 8 games and their winning streak to 7 games with an entertaining victory over Airbus UK Broughton.

Both goals for the Saints came in the first half – Dan Williams nudged the ball on the six-yard box from a header to net the first, whilst midfielder Rory Holden netted from Danny Davies’ deflected attempt. Saints enjoyed the lion’s share of possession throughout both halves, whilst Airbus seemed static and unable to mount an attack of their own.

It wasn’t all joy for TNS, despite remaining in pole position, as Craig Harrison was booked during half-time, blocking him from the Saints touchline when they play Flint on Tuesday. Airbus stay eighth and head to Cae Y Castell to face Connah’s Quay on the same day. Airbus will need to strengthen their backline to stand any chance against Connah’s Quay.

Flint Town United 1:1 Cardiff Met

Goalscorers: Isaac Modi (Flint, 2′), Jack Veale (Met, 60′, P)
Red Cards: Benjamin Woollam (Flint, 59′), CJ Craven (Met, 89′, Second Yellow)

The spoils were shared in a tense match as Met remained in the top half of the table.

Modi’s fantastic shot in the second minute put the Silkmen on the front foot and inspired momentum throughout the first half, but that momentum faded in the second half. Ben Woollam was sent off.

Met’s penalty arose from this incident, with Fumpa Mwandwe brought down by Woollam in the box, leading Jack Veale to calmly net the goal.

The final half-hour was tense and cagey, with both sides pressing, but it was CJ Craven who would receive attention, albeit for a second yellow leading him to be booked.

Flint move to 14th place and head to Park Hall to play TNS on Tuesday, whilst the Archers head to Connah’s Quay on Friday – their Matchday Nine game against Haverfordwest has been moved to the 29th of September.

Haverfordwest County 3:1 Briton Ferry Llansawel

Goals: Corey Hurford (Ferry, 59′), Dan Hawkins (Haverfordwest, 70′), Corey Shephard (Haverfordwest, 76′), Rhys Abbruzzeze (Haverfordwest, 84′)

Haverfordwest came from behind to secure their second win of the season with an impressive win over Briton Ferry.

After a first half with minimal chances, Corey Hurford beat keeper Efan Knott outside of the box to slot Ferry ahead just before the hour, but the lead was not to last.

Dan Hawkins hit the net after receiving a long throw, and the Bluebirds’ momentum only increased with a fantastic goal six minutes later from Corey Shephard, who single-handedly beat Ferry’s backline to put Haverfordwest in front. Rhys Abbruzzeze increased the lead eight minutes later with an assist from Ben Ahmun, gliding the ball past the keeper to cement victory.

Haverfordwest’s next game is against Holywell Town on Friday, whilst Briton Ferry head to Bryntirion Park on Tuesday to face Penybont.

Barry Town United 4:1 Llandudno

Goals: Elliott Dugan (Barry, 5′, P), Noah Daley (Barry, 13′), Marc Cadwallader (Llandudno, 68′), Daniel Barton (Barry, 70′), Ellis Williams (Barry, 90+8′)
Red Cards: Kieran Smith (Llandudno, 90+2′)

Barry bounced back from last week’s loss to TNS with a statement victory against Llandudno.

The momentum was set with Elliott Dugan’s fifth-minute penalty, but Noah Daley’s 13th-minute strike set momentum solely in the home side’s direction.

Whilst Marc Cadwallader netted Llandudno a consolation goal in the 68th minute, Barry struck back through Daniel Barton just two minutes later, and things went worse for Llandudno with Kieran Smith’s booking in added time as well as Ellis Williams’ last-minute goal.

Barry remain in second position and host Ammanford on Tuesday, whilst Llandudno host Caernarfonn.

Trefelin 0:1 Penybont

Goals: Tyler Walker (Penybont, 69′)

Penybont ground out a victory against a stubborn Trefelin side thanks to Tyler Walker as Trefelin remain winless in the top-flight.

After a relatively uneventful first half where Penybont were constantly on the front foot, Walker shot the ball into the net from distance to provide a well-deserved win for Bont. In a game of few chances and little quality from Trefelin, Bont should’ve walked away with more goals.

Bont move up to fourth in the table, hosting Briton Ferry on Tuesday, whilst Trefelin will hope that their first win of the season can come as they host Cambrian.

Cambrian United 2:1 Holywell Town

Goals: Liam Eason (Cambrian, 37′ & 48′), Florian Yonsian (83′)

Bottom-of-the-table Holywell Town fell to yet another loss against a skilful and technical Cambrian side.

Liam Eason showed quality throughout the game. His first goal, from a beautiful cross by Joshua Beecher, bounced off the crossbar, leaving Alex Swindell unable to save it, while his second came from a well-recovered fumble.

Despite Florian Yonsian’s consolation goal, with him being Holywell’s standout player, the Wellmen’s summer of change has left them with work to do as they continue their search for that elusive first win.

Holywell play Colwyn Bay on Tuesday and will hope for an upset, whilst Cambrian head to winless Trefelin in the aim to improve their standing in the table.

Ammanford 0:5 Caernarfon Town

Goals: Phillip Mooney (Caernarfon, 22′ & 90′), Sion Bradley (Caernarfon, 37′ & 68′, P), Harri Wyn (Caernarfon, 90+3′)
Red Cards: Lucas Davies (Ammanford, 67′)

Caernarfon enjoyed a resounding win against strugglers Ammanford, equalling their previous Cymru Premier away win record.

Sion Bradley and Phillip Mooney netted in the first half to put Caernarfon firmly in the driving seat, before Lucas Davies was shown a deserved red card.

Three goals in the second half, including the penalty from Davies’ infraction, gave Caernarfon a well-deserved record victory.

• You can read about this match in detail here, in the talking points from Ben Jones.

Colwyn Bay 2:1 Connah’s Quay Nomads

Goals: Callum West (Nomads, 9′, P), Jordan Davies (53′), Solomon Forde (66′)

Colwyn Bay made history by securing their first-ever win against Connah’s Quay Nomads in the top flight, with a 2-1 victory that could’ve been a wider margin.

Whilst the Nomads went ahead at first through a Callum West penalty, thanks to a foul by Ethan Roberts on Alex Hughes, the Seagulls fought back with intensity, consistently breaking down the Nomads’ defence and getting close to goal.

It took until the second half for Connah’s Quay’s defence to crumble, and a fantastic shot from Jordan Davies from wide brought Colwyn Bay level, before a goal from Solomon Forde, scored after a corner, pushed the Seagulls into the driving seat.

After a moment of shoving in the 70th minute that nearly descended into a brawl, both sides became more aggressive in their pursuit of victory, but Bay were able to hold off a last-minute Nomads resurgence, giving them a historic victory.

Colwyn Bay head to winless Holywell Town in their aim to move up the table from eighth, whilst Connah’s Quay host Airbus UK Broughton with an aim to bounce back to winning ways.