Thomas goal earns Canaries draw at Barry
CAERNARFON Town produced an impressively gutsy performance at Jenner Park to earn a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw against Barry Town United, writes PAUL EVANS.
A spate of long term injuries, suspensions and absences over a two month period has seen the Cofis suffer a run of six defeats and a draw in their last seven league fixtures but on Saturday they seemed much more like their old selves, as they deservedly returned home with a point.
Barry began the match with real purpose and would have gone in front in the second minute were it not for Alex Ramsay, who somehow managed to get his fingertips to a McLaggon thunderbolt as it headed towards the roof of the net.
Caernarfon’s number one was forced into another smart save minutes later when he rushed off his line to block an Abbruzzese effort with his legs.
Touray completed a hat-trick of missed near misses for the hosts when he saw his curler from 15 yards out sailing just beyond Ramsay’s far upright.
Caernarfon finally weathered the early storm and began gaining possession midfield, where Leo Smith excelled.
The former Wrexham player may feel that he should have done better when handed an excellent opportunity in front of goal in the 17th minute, but he mis-kicked from eight yards after superb set up play by Darren Thomas.
Smith turned provider half way through the first period as he found Sion Bradley in the penalty area with a neat pass, and this time it was the turn of home keeper Mike Lewis to keep the match scoreless as he saved well to deny the young winger.
Abbruzzese again threatened for the hosts with a long range effort that struck the bar in the 28th minute but this was Barry’s final worthwhile effort of the first half, as Caenarfon’s defence dealt well with any threats they posed before the break.
For Caernarfon, Breese and Bradley went close to putting their side ahead as half-time approached but the match remained scoreless until the 64th minute, when a wayward back-pass from Ryan Williams was intercepted by Touray, who rounded Ramsay and struck the ball into an empty net.
It was a cruel blow for Williams, who was again outstanding in the heart of Town’s defence but Caernarfon struck back immediately from the restart after Sion Bradley dribbled into the Barry area and Lewis could not manage to reach his cross to the far post, where Thomas stood waiting, striking the ball into the roof of the net from a yard out.
From this point onwards both sets of players tried in vain to create a match winning opportunity but it is to the credit of both defences that neither backline was breached during the remainder of the action, with a draw a fair return for the sides.
The Cofis return to the Oval next Friday evening for a mouth-watering Welsh Cup quarter-final tie against Cefn Druids.
Manager Huw Griffiths hopes to welcome Nathan Craig and Gareth Edwards back into his squad for this important fixture. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.
The club have also announced that Barry Evans has joined the board of directors.