Breese winner sees Canaries up to fourth
CAERNARFON are up to fourth in the Cymru Premier League after a thrilling 1-0 victory over Newtown, writes PAUL EVANS.
The Cofis lost their opening fixture of the league campaign but have since remained unbeaten in the top tier and, in front of 800 spectators, they never looked like surrendering their unbeaten run against a fine Robins side.
Caernarfon found the net in the second minute when Darren Thomas finished off a fine move involving Leo Smith and although the effort was disallowed for offside, the hosts’ flying start was a sign of what was to come.
The action was fast – at times frantic – and it was Caernarfon who got the better of it, as their attacking players were given licence to fly forward at every opportunity.
Bradley and Brookwell were getting plenty of joy on the flanks and the former was unlucky not to have found Jamie Breese with a stinging low delivery that flew across the six-yard area and agonisingly just too far for the onrushing striker at the far post.
Thomas was next to threaten when, in the 21st minute, he ran into the penalty area before forcing keeper Dave Jones into a smart save.
The ball rebounded kindly into the path of Brookwell and although he hit the ball sweetly, his effort flew a foot over the woodwork.
The Robins suffered another near-miss four minutes later when Brookwell threaded the ball perfectly into the path of Smith, and the youngster did well to beat his marker, but could not find a way past the onrushing Jones.
Newtown’s Lifumpa Mwandwe was looking lively up front but often found himself short of options as Town’s three man defence, aided by holding midfielder Jamie Crowther, ensured that little space was offered whenever the visitors broke upfield.
In fact, it was Neil Mitchell who went closest to finding the net for the Robins when Town’s Alex Ramsay failed to get hold of his 32nd minute cross, and the ball flew bounced out of play off the upright.
From this point until half-time, Caernarfon dominated possession and should really have made the most of their superiority, but efforts from Thomas, Breese, Noah Edwards and Smith all failed to break the deadlock, and the teams walked off at the break still locking horns with no goals to show.
Breese’s golden moment arrived with 55 minutes on the clock as he pounced on a poor clearance from Jones and coolly lobbed the glovesman, who stood helplessly in no man’s land in the box.
It was a delightful finish by Town’s number nine, who has started the season in excellent fashion.
Crowther was next to shine for the Cofis when he showed great athleticism to block a low cross that was destined for Sheridan at the near post.
Newton went close to equalising in the 70th minute when Mwandwe met a deep cross at the far post and poked goalwards, only for Ramsay to pull off an excellent reflex save to deny him.
Newtown escaped a penalty call from the Cofi Army late on when a Sam Jones effort bounced off a defenders’ arm while Thomas and Cai Jones both went close to extending the hosts’ lead.