Canaries thwarted

CAERNARFON Town’s teenage Polish goalkeeper Jakub Ojrzynski conceded two penalties in the space of four minute in his side’s 3-3 home draw with Aberystwyth Town.

Both fouls gave Mathew Jones the chance to step up and demonstrate his prowess from the penalty spot.

Twice he beat the young keeper down to his left as he firstly drew his side level and then gave them a 3-2 lead.

The Cofis got off to a great start with goals in the opening 20 minutes from Steve Evans and Iwan Cartwright, but Harry Franklin hauled one back before the break give the visitors hope.

The Aber lead lasted only six minutes before Dan Gosset popped up to make it 3-3 and set up a frantic final 20 minutes.

There were no more goals and Caernarfon remain outside the top six positions.

● Bala Town picked up their first away win since 1 October at Flint as they battled to a 5-3 win at bottom of the table Cefn Druids.

It was the first time this season the Druids had scored three, but two red cards and a brace of headed goals from former Wales international Dave Edwards did for them in the end.

● Declan McManus took his goal tally for the season to 16 as he ensured The New Saints stayed 12 points clear at the top with a 3-2 home win over Penybont.

The Scottish marksman hit the target in both halves, with his second coming from a glancing header that edged his side back in front after Sam Snaith had converted a second half corner into an equaliser at 2-2.

But even though the league leaders’ record signing keeps on scoring – 20 goals since signing with four in Europe – his manager still wants more from him.

“Declan is an excellent player, but he should have scored more and we will be working with him on that during the week.

“He can do a lot better than what he’s doing at the moment,” said Anthony Limbrick on his performance against Penybont. “He has done really well, and he is such a top class character who works hard, but he had a really good chance just after half-time and if he’d put that away the game would have been different.

“We need to improve in all areas and even though he is scoring goals at the moment there is still more to come from him.”

Newtown took over from Flint Town United in second place thanks to a 2-0 home win that saw the visitors play with 10 men for 35 minutes.

Veteran striker Michael Wilde was dismissed 11 minutes into the second half with his side trailing to Aaron Williams’ first half penalty for the home side – the second time this season he had been sent-off against Newtown.

The game became even harder for the Silkmen with their leading goalscorer off the field and Newtown wrapped things up soon after.

Jake Walker doubled the lead with a fabulous halfvolley in the 64th minute and that was the bit of breathing space his side needed to ensure they avenged their 4-1 thrashing in North Wales earlier in the season.

Reigning champions Connah’s Quay Nomads had a Paulo Mendes goal to thank for their 1-0 home win over Haverfordwest County.