Canaries target repeat of their title dominance
CAERNARFON Town make the first defence of their Huws Gray Alliance League title this Saturday when newly-promoted Penrhyncoch visit the Roberts Oval (2.30pm).
The Canaries were a different class last term when they romped to the championship, but ended up being refused promotion to the Welsh Premier League due to licensing issues.
Now Iwan Williams’ men are ready to do it all again in the quest to achieve their ambition of topflight football.
This summer’s new signings include defenders Michael Johnston and James Phillips, goalkeeper Mike Jones and strikers Corrig McGonigle and Cory Williams.
Glovesman Paul Pritchard, midfielder Rob Jones and frontman Kevin Lloyd have left the club, while stalwart Kevin Roberts has retired.
Pre-season results for the Cofis have been mixed, with defeats coming against Salford City (1-4), Aberystwyth Town (1-2), Bala Town (0-5) and The New Saints (0-5), but positives emerged from all those games against high-level opposition.
Caernarfon have also recorded six wins against Welsh Alliance teams Llanfairpwll (5-0), Glantraeth (6-2), Llangefni Town (1-0), Llanberis (6-2), Llanrwst United (3-2) and, on Monday night, the Canaries trounced Nantlle Vale 15-2.
Jamie Breese finished comfortably from close range before Darren Thomas doubled the lead in the sixth minute when he drilled a volley into the net.
Cory Williams added a third in the 12th minute, doing well to muscle his way past a defender to meet a Nathan Craig corner and head in from just two yards.
Williams struck again soon after as his cross-shot bulleted over the keeper and into the far corner.
Breese scored twice in quick succession to complete his hat-trick inside 30 minutes, and Williams matched his strike partner’s feat when he tapped into an empty net from close range following excellent work by Danny Brookwell.
Breese completed the first half rout with his fourth and Town’s eighth.
The second period saw former Canaries goalkeeper Neil Perkins enter the fray but he could do nothing to keep out a Craig free-kick soon after the restart, and in the 53rd minute Thomas scored with a low effort from 20 yards for 10-0.
Breese added his fifth before the visitors finally got some reward when Aaron Hughes headed past Mike Jones from eight yards.
Clive Williams and Corrig McGonigle (twice) made the home scoresheet before Hughes completed his brace for Vale, and the match finished with another Craig free-kick which flew into the net.
Meanwhile, Caernarfon Town have announced local home care service provider Gofal Bro Cyf as the club’s principal shirt sponsor for the 2016/17 season.
Caernarfon chairman Richard Morris Jones said: “This kit sponsorship deal is the biggest in the club’s history, and on behalf of everyone at the club I wish to thank (owner) Margaret Jones and everyone at Gofal Bro Cyf for becoming our main sponsors for the new season.”
Another sponsorship deal for the club sees civil engineering company Jones Bros purchase 50 new polo shirts for players in Caernarfon Town’s first team and reserves 16-18 category.
The bright yellow shirts will be worn by the players before and after matches and when visiting other clubs for away games during the season.