Caernarfon Town have qualified for Europe for the first time as a packed Carling Oval witnessed history being made in a 3-1 victory over Penybont in the JD Cymru Premier European Play-Off Final.
The Cofis shocked Penybont by doing all the damage in the first half of the game, racing into a 3-0 lead before the half-time break. Penybont will be disappointed with their showing as they failed to create anything meaningful throughout the game until it was too late.
It took 20 minutes until the deadlock was broken but Caernarfon were worth the lead when Louis Lloyd was released by deft pass from Darren Thomas. As Adam Pryzbek came off his line, the Penybont goalkeeper could do nothing as Lloyd neatly chipped the ball up an over him.
It was 2-0 six minutes later after Billy Borge tripped Lloyd in the box leaving referee Alex McInch no option but to award a penalty. Zack Clarke stepped up and struck the ball to the right of Pryzbek, who guessed the right way but couldn’t keep it out due to the power of the shot.
Caernarfon didn’t let up and continued to press Penybont when they were in possession. Sion Bradley’s pressure on Mark Little forced the defender into a mistake to concede possession, Bradley was then able to run in on goal to slot the ball into the net for an incredible 3-0 lead.
The Cofis held this comfortable margin until Ryan Reynolds pulled a goal back in second half added time for Penybont but the 1,960 – the biggest JD Cymru Leagues attendance of the season – knew that the Canaries destination was flying into Europe and the full-time whistle allowed the celebrations to begin.
Caernarfon Town can now start preparing for their very first adventure into European competition.
