Cardiff Met earned their first JD Cymru Premier win of the season by triumphing 3-0 over a stunned Caernarfon Town at the Go Goodwins Stadium on Sunday.
The Archers had not won an away game in the league for over a year ahead of their trip north, but took the lead after just four minutes as Fumpa Mwandwe’s loss cross from the left was turned home by Adam Roscrow.
Mwandwe got on the scoresheet himself five minutes into the second half, finishing into an empty net after Roscrow had pressured Caernarfon goalkeeper Connor Roberts into gifting the ball away.
Met substitute Jasper Payne sealed victory in the 78th minute, firing into the bottom corner from just inside the box after another mazy run from Mwandwe. It proved to be Caernarfon’s biggest loss since December last year and the first time they have failed to score in a game this season.
The Cofis’ defeat means that The New Saints are now a point clear at the top of the table following their 2-0 win away at Bala Town on Friday night – a fifth straight league victory for the reigning champions.
Craig Harrison’s side had lost at Maes Tegid in Phase One last season, but took the lead after just two minutes this time around as Ryan Brobbel met Ben Wilson’s cross and guided his header beyond Joel Torrance via the post.
Bala had glorious opportunities to equalise in the first half through Hussein Mehasseb, who had his low driven effort from close range saved by Nathan Shepperd and Liam Higgins, who headed over the bar from eight yards out.
The hosts were punished for those missed chances as they conceded a second goal three minutes into the second half. Brobbel’s cross into the area was not cleared by Lassana Mendes, with Jack Bodenham meeting the loose ball and poking past Torrance.
Penybont are up to second in the table after Jac Clay’s first goal for the club secured a 1-0 win over Colwyn Bay at the DragonBet Stadium on Saturday.
Gabe Kircough went extremely close to the opening goal with a stunning bicycle kick which flew inches wide, while the Bont defender almost turned the ball into his own net at the other end only to be rescued by the woodwork.
The hosts’ breakthrough arrived just before half-time when Ioan Phillips’ header was saved by Alex Brown and Clay poked home the rebound from close range. A sixth clean sheet of the season made sure of a fourth straight victory for Rhys Griffiths’ side.
Llanelli Town continued their recent resurgence with a 1-0 victory over Haverfordwest County at Stebonheath Park on Friday night.
The Reds’ winning goal arrived with just 16 minutes on the clock as Danny Williams provided a deft touch to steer Theo Wharton’s low drive beyond Ifan Knott.
Llanelli goalkeeper Alex Pennock made crucial saves to deny Elliot Scotcher and Ben Ahmun to keep his clean sheet intact, while Corey Shephard had an indirect free-kick blocked by a resilient Llanelli defence.
Ricky Watts went agonisingly close to a late equaliser for Haverfordwest but his close range header from Dan Hawkins’ corner was denied by the crossbar, as the Bluebirds slipped to the bottom of the table following a fifth consecutive league defeat – their worst run for five years.
Flint Town United won for the first time in four league games as they came from behind to triumph 2-1 over Briton Ferry Llansawel at the Essity Stadium on Saturday evening.
Ferry were ahead after just five minutes of the contest as Ruben Davies brought down Tom Walters’ header and calmly finished past Jack Flint for his sixth league goal of the season.
However, that lead lasted just 10 minutes as Flint captain Harry Owen met Jake Phillips’ corner and sent a powerful header beyond Will Fuller.
The same two players combined for the Silkmen’s winning goal on 72 minutes as Owen ran onto Phillips’ cross and guided another header into the net. The defender’s last six goals have now all come against Briton Ferry.
The points were shared between Barry Town United and Connah’s Quay Nomads in a goalless stalemate at Jenner Park on Saturday.
Both goalkeepers were on top form, with Nomads stopper Kit Margetson, who was playing against his brother Ben, made a brilliant diving save to tip away Robbie Willmott’s fierce volley. Meanwhile, opposite number George Ratcliffe made stops at full stretch to deny Nomads substitutes Max Woodcock and Callum West.
The result keeps Barry fifth in the table, while the Nomads have moved up to sixth place to join Steve Jenkins’ side in the top half.
Weekend results in full:
Bala Town 0-2 The New Saints
Llanelli Town 1-0 Haverfordwest County
Barry Town United 0-0 Connah’s Quay Nomads
Penybont 1-0 Colwyn Bay
Flint Town United 2-1 Briton Ferry Llansawel
Caernarfon Town 0-3 Cardiff Met
