Silverware joy for Canaries
CAERNARFON TOWN were presented with their second Huws Gray Alliance League title trophy in three seasons after finishing an unforgettable campaign with a 2-2 draw against Gresford Athletic last Friday evening.
The Canaries ended 2017-18 on a 26-match unbeaten league run and the assurance they are promoted to the Welsh Premier after a nine-year absence.
Last Friday’s curtain-closer for the Cofis was played at the home of Airbus Broughton and, despite going into an early lead, the champions were made to work hard, having to fight back from a goal down to keep their undefeated league streak under Sean Eardley intact.
After a bright start, the Canaries edged ahead when Nathan Craig curled a trademark free-kick into the top corner.
Town continued to press forward and Gareth Edwards was unfortunate not to add a second goal when his headed effort was cleared off the line.
Goalkeeper Mike Platt came to his side’s rescue halfway through the first period when he moved swiftly to gather an audacious Shaun Cavanagh lob.
The glovesman’s endeavours were rewarded when his side broke upfield and, as Caernarfon failed to deal with a delivery into the penalty area, Jake Eyre pulled the trigger from 12 yards to beat Liam Jones, making his first start of the season for Town.
Clive Williams forced an excellent save from Platt but the break arrived at one goal apiece.
Gresford were quick out of the blocks for the second period and went ahead when following a rapid move upfield, Jack Chalinor’s wellplaced effort took a deflection on its way past Jones and into the net.
Steve Haliwell’s side were buoyant at this stage and only a welltimed block from Edwards prevented them increasing their lead.
At the other end, Danny Brookwell and Breese forced Platt into smart stops.
The introduction of Darren Thomas gave Town an extra dimension in the final third and the Cofi favourite began causing all sorts of problems for Gresford’s back-line.
It was Thomas who provided the assist for the equaliser when he timed his run into the box perfectly to meet an excellent Gareth Evans’s delivery, which he headed to Breese, and Town’s top-scorer did the rest with a clinical finish.
Ultimately the draw was a fair result and Caernarfon were left to enjoy their title celebrations.