Cofis ready to join top flight
THE big kick-off is now just days away for Welsh Premier League newcomers Caernarfon Town, reports Paul Evans.
Sean Eardley’s side’s top flight return begins on Sunday, August 12, when the Canaries take on Cefn Druids at The Oval in front of the live S4C cameras.
It will be the Cofis’ first game in the WPL since the end of the 2008/09 season.
Caernarfon have revealed their squad for the campaign ahead, which is as follows: Alex Ramsay, Joe Williams, Nathan Craig (c), Clive Williams, Gareth Edwards (vc), Rhys Roberts, Gareth Evans, Jamie Crowther, Jamie Breese, Darren Thomas, Danny Brookwell, Ben Maher, Kevin Roberts, Ryan Williams, Sion Bradley, Cai Jones, Nic Bould and Ross Stephens.
Other players may be added before the start of the season but, for now, an 18-man squad is on the roster.
Before it all gets underway, Caernarfon have a home friendly this Saturday against former WPL club Afan Lido at The Oval (2.30pm).
The Cofis were due to face longtime rivals Porthmadog last night (Tuesday) in another warm-up match, and before that lost 4-3 to North West Counties League visitors FC Oswestry Town on Saturday.
Caernarfon suffered a rare home defeat as three late goals from the Salopians sealed their victory.
If truth be told, it was an untypically subdued performance from the Cofis, who had begun well enough and took a deserved lead in the 19th minute through Danny Brookwell.
The flying winger got on the end of a perfectly weighted square pass from Ben Maher to open the scoring after the recent signing from Prestatyn had jinked his way into the penalty area from the left flank.
Darren Thomas nearly added a second within minutes but could not manage a clean contact on the ball, while Maher will have been disappointed not to have found the target after fashioning an opportunity for himself in the 40th minute, his effort flashing an inch wide of the upright.
Oswestry responded well after the break and found parity in possession, although Caernarfon enjoyed the better goalscoring opportunities, as Breese, Brookwell and Thomas tested the visiting goalkeeper, who proved up to the task on each occasion.
Oswestry got back on level terms just past the hour mark, courtesy of a Dave Howarth strike that gave Ramsay no chance.
A handball in the penalty area gave Caernarfon the chance to reclaim their advantage and Breese made no mistake from the spot.
This is as good as it got for the Canaries, however, as a late dip in concentration saw Oswestry take full advantage as they found the target with efforts from Howarth, Louis Moss and Connor Courtney.
Brookwell pulled a goal back for the hosts in the final minute but there was no time for them to seek an equaliser as the referee blew time immediately after the restart.