Last-gasp Canaries beat Penybont

A LATE Jamie Crowther goal gave Caernarfon Town their first home victory of the season against a determined Penybont side that defied their position at the foot of the Cymru Premier League, writes Paul Evans.

The Cofis started the match well and, when Leo Smith thundered the ball into the roof of Wilson’s net after getting on the end of an excellent Shaun Cavanagh pass in the third minute, it seemed that they may be on the road to a resounding victory.

The visitors did well to regroup after the early setback and, despite Town’s dominance of the ball, they looked confident going forward.

Nathaniel Wood levelled the score in the 15th minute with an excellent finish after creating space for himself in the hosts’ penalty area.

Their elation at equalising quickly disappeared when Jamie Breese impressively restored Caernarfon’s lead three minutes later when he leapt above the defence at the far post to put the finishing touch to a Nathan Craig delivery.

Penybont’s backline did better for the remainder of the first half as they gave the Cofis little opportunity to extend their lead, the closest they got being when Craig forced Wilson into a smart stop on the half hour mark.

With Caernarfon pressing forward, they looked susceptible to the break and Alex Ramsay pulled off an impressive reflex save to keep out a Curtis Hutson effort.

Town’s number one had little chance, however, with the same players’ next attempt, which saw Penybont level for a second time with virtually the last kick of the first half.

Caernarfon were better in the second period and a move to a back three early after the restart proved a positive move.

But they had to wait for Crowther’s rare winner, which arrived with 90 minutes on the referee’s watch.

Following a foul on Darren Thomas on the edge of the box, Craig’s well struck free-kick was destined for the top corner until Wilson tipped the ball onto the woodwork and, much to the delight of the Oval faithful, it was Crowther who reacted first as he struck first time into an empty net.

Sean Eardley had asked his team to follow up last week’s hard-earned draw at Barry Town with a victory and, despite not being at their best, his players got the job done.