Port target a home victory
CAERNARFON Town will face an early test of their ability to retain the Huws Gray Alliance title when they visit Denbigh Town this Friday (8pm).
The Canaries kicked off their defence of the crown last Saturday with a hard-fought 3-1 home win over newly-promoted Penrhyncoch.
The visitors made it tough for the Canaries, the excellence of keeper Lee Jenkins keeping it at 0-0 come half time.
Five minutes after the break Town went ahead when the returning Cory Williams combined well with Jamie Breeze before knocking in the opener.
An amazing save from debutant Cofis keeper Mike Jones via Dean Evans kept it at 1-0, then Williams teed up Thomas for the home side’s second.
Josh Shaw pulled one back for Penrhyn, but Thomas sealed it with his second near the end.
Town strengthened their squad last week with the loan signing of the versatile Tom Quinn from Bala Town.
Caernarfon manager Iwan Williams said: “Tom played a couple of games for us in pre-season and was outstanding.
“He can play anywhere across the backline or in midfield and has fantastic pedigree.
“Before Bala snapped him up, Tom spent 10 years within Crewe Alex’s excellent academy system, progressing through the age groups.
“He has great technique, is composed on the ball, his work rate is infectious and he loves a tackle. He’s a Caernarfon type player whom the Cofi Army will certainly take to.”
Quinn made his Canaries debut as a substitute in last Saturday’s victory over Penrhyncoch and can only enhance an already strong squad.
PORTHMADOG will aim to build on last weekend’s superb 6-2 opening day victory at Mold Alexandra when they entertain Buckley Town at Y Traeth this Saturday (2.30pm).
Craig Papirnyk’s men could not have wished for a better start and with midfielder Ceri James and striker Josh Davies on the way back from injury, competition for firstteam places will become more fierce.
One player with a very good chance of remaining in the line-up this weekend is Julian Williams, a four-goal hero in the massacre of Mold at Alyn Park.
Before kick-off the word from the Port camp was the team needed to be more ruthless in the finishing department this term.
This was certainly the case last Saturday, although the visitors had to overcome a shaky start.
Poor away defending allowed Nathan Munro a pair of chances but he failed to take either, Richard Harvey saving well from the first.
On 19 minutes the home side deservedly went ahead with Rhys Nash rising well to meet a free kick and flick a header over Harvey.
The set back seemed to rally Port and gradually they began to gain control in midfield, star forwards Jamie McDaid and Julian Williams starting to exploit the space down the flanks.
On the half hour keeper Eric Nixon got a hand to a ball played in from the right but Williams was on hand to net from close range.
This was the start of a purple patch which saw Port score three times in the space of 10 minutes.
Williams volleyed home brilliantly and McDaid turned well before firing home, making it 3-1 at half time.
Mold began the second half the better and on 53 minutes reduced the arrears when Lewis Hassan was fouled in the box by Dan Roberts and Lee Jones converted from the spot.
But as in the first half, the goal only served to further inspire Port and in the 20-minute period between the 68th and 88th they netted a further three times.
McDaid’s cross was spectacularly met with a diving header at the back post by Williams for his hat-trick.
Josh Banks then released Williams who outstripped the Alex defence and finished clinically from a narrow angle for his fourth.
McDaid completed the rout with a composed finish.