Holders Cofis into cup final
CAERNARFON Town remain on course for back-to-back Huws Gray Cup successes after last Saturday’s 1-0 win at Holyhead Hotspur put them into a second consecutive final.
The holders will meet Flint Town United in the showpiece game at Conwy on April 29.
Heartbroken by their Welsh Cup semi-final loss to Bala Town the weekend before, the Cofis bounced back in style by beating long-time rivals Holyhead.
Both sides began confidently and Caernarfon were first to threaten when they broke away from the edge of their own penalty area and fed Danny Brookwell on the right.
The young winger outpaced two defenders on the way into the home area where he crossed to the far post, but the ball proved inches too high for Jamie Breese who could not quite manage to keep his header from clearing the woodwork.
Darren Thomas tricked his marker on the left touchline before testing former Town keeper Paul Pritchard with a low cross that the stopper did well to get down to before the onrushing Breese.
Breese was not to be denied however and, with 15 minutes on the clock, Town’s top-scorer sped past defender Alex Jones before guiding the ball inside the far post.
Town’s number one, Alex Ramsay, did well to keep out Brendun Hogan’s snapshot as he parried the ball for a corner. Kenleigh Owen got on the end of the resulting set-piece but could not keep his overhead attempt on target.
The final action of the first period could have seen Breese doubling Town’s lead, but he could not quite finish from a tight angle.
Hotspur re-emerged after the break in determined mood and enjoyed their best period of the afternoon, enjoying plenty of possession but failing in the main to make inroads in the Caernarfon half.
Dewi Thomas and Owen both had unsuccessful attempts to put their side back on level terms before Caernarfon regained control, a Thomas strike deflecting wide.
Town substitute Jay Gibbs made an impact from the bench, seeing his goalbound effort blocked.
Thomas then forced Pritchard into a reflex save but the ball fell to Breese, who was unlucky to see his effort bounce over the bar.
Thomas went close again before the end, but the final whistle blew on a Town triumph.