Caernarfon Town continued their impressive phase two form in the JD Cymru Premier with a 2-1 win over bogey side Connah’s Quay Nomads on Friday night.
It was a nightmare start for the Cofis who conceded a penalty inside the first minute, but Lewis Webb denied Jordan Davies from the spot.
It remained goalless at half-time, but two goals in the space of five minutes early in the second half put Caernarfon in control. Louis Lloyd volleyed into the bottom corner to break the deadlock before a silky team move was finished off by Marc Williams’ powerful header.
Jordan Davies made no mistake from the penalty spot at the second time of asking as he halved the deficit in stoppage time, but it was only a consolation for the Nomads and they have now suffered three league losses in a row for the first time since 2015.
Defeat for Neil Gibson’s side allowed third-place Bala Town to close the gap on second-placed Nomads to just six points as George Newell’s strike earned a 1-0 win over Cardiff Met on Saturday.
Bala had not won at Cyncoed Campus since December 2017, but the in-form Newell was the hero again in the 51st minute as he slotted home the rebound after Paulo Mendes’ initial effort from long range had been saved. It is now six goals in four games for the Lakesiders forward.
Haverfordwest County finally earned their first win in phase two as they triumphed 2-0 over Aberystwyth Town at Ogi Bridge Meadow on Friday night.
The Seasiders were reduced to ten men after just 28 minutes as goalkeeper Oliver Basey received a straight red card for bringing down Martell Taylor-Crossdale inside the area.
Aber had no replacement goalkeeper on their bench, meaning Jonathan Evans donned the gloves and remarkably saved Taylor-Crossdale’s penalty.
However, Haverfordwest eventually found a way through the Aber defence as Dan Hawkins’ glancing header in first half stoppage time and Taylor-Crossdale’s close range finish after the break steered Tony Pennock’s side to a crucial three points, which saw them stay top of the Play Off Conference.
Penybont remain just a point behind the Bluebirds following their emphatic 5-0 home win over Colwyn Bay.
Lewys Ware grabbed his second goal in as many goals to open the scoring in the 26th minute, while Bay got off to the worst possible start in the second half as Tom Creamer conceded a penalty and was sent off for a second bookable offence. Chris Venables made no mistake from twelve yards to double the lead.
Keyon Reffell added a third before Kane Owen scored a potential goal of the season contender with a thunderous drive from distance. It was then a moment to savour for 15-year-old substitute Ioan Phillips as he scored his first ever senior goal for Bont to round off a five-star performance from Rhys Griffiths’ side.
Barry Town United drew for a fifth consecutive match in the JD Cymru Premier as they shared the points with Pontypridd United in a 1-1 stalemate at USW Sports Park.
Owain Jones fired the Dragons ahead inside five minutes with a cool finish from just outside the area, but Barry hit back on the half hour mark when Will Richards scored his first goal for the club by heading home Lee Lucas’ corner.
Champions The New Saints secured their 26th consecutive victory in all competitions as Kieran Mills-Evans’ own goal gave Craig Harrison’s side a narrow 1-0 win against a spirited Newtown side.
It was in the 33rd minute that Mills-Evans attempted to clear Josh Daniels’ teasing cross, but his wayward header flew into the back of his own net as the Saints bagged their 99th league goal of the season.
Louis Robles close to bringing Newtown level in the second half, but he could only watch his powerful strike rattle the crossbar. Robins midfielder Matty Jones was sent off for an off the ball incident in the closing stages.
JD Cymru Premier results
Caernarfon Town 2-1 Connah’s Quay Nomads
Haverfordwest County 2-0 Aberystwyth Town
Cardiff Met 0-1 Bala Town
Newtown 0-1 The New Saints
Penybont 5-0 Colwyn Bay
Pontypridd United 1-1 Barry Town United
