Town lose to Telford
CAERNARFON Town are expected to complete their pre-season programme with a home game against Rainhill Town of the West Cheshire League this Saturday (2.30pm).
The Canaries will begin what promises to be a fascinating Huws Gray Alliance campaign with a visit to Penrhyncoch on Saturday, August 12.
Last weekend saw the Cofis continue preparations with a 4-1 home reverse against AFC Telford United of the National League North.
Town deserved more than the scoreline suggests.
The Canaries started well and Danny Brookwell seemed to have set Jamie Breese up in the fifth minute only for visiting keeper Sheridan Martinez to get his hand to the ball just as the striker was about to reach it.
Brookwell was denied again by Martinez soon after.
The visitors seemed to weather the initial blistering start by Town and, despite having created little up front beforehand, they went ahead with a well-taken low strike by Will Marsh.
Caernarfon continued to push forward, however, and it was only the outstanding efforts of Martinez that kept Telford ahead, as he pulled off a superb one-handed save to thwart Breese.
Town’s final opportunity before the break fell to Breese and this time the Cofi number nine beat the onrushing Mar- tinez with a well-weighted lob, but the ball slid an inch wide of the far upright.
The Cofis began the second half in similar fashion when Darren Thomas was left frustrated to see his cheeky effort from 15 yards agonisingly clear the bar.
Town were soon made to pay for missed opportunities when James Thorne added a second for the visitors.
Caernarfon won a 74th minute penalty but the outstanding Martinez guessed correctly to foil Nathan Craig.
The Bucks added a third when former Shrewsbury and Stockport striker John Marsden found the net with a stunning strike.
Referee Kelvin Lewis awarded Caernarfon a second penalty for handball and this time Craig made no mistake.
Marsden added a fourth for Telford late on.