Home loss leaves Canaries in peril
A2-1 HOME defeat to Pontypridd United has left Caernarfon’s top-flight status in serious jeopardy ahead of a crucial final pair of matches in the Playoff Conference.
The hosts fell behind to Aaron Simpson’s own goal on 49 minutes, Ben Wynne levelling on 58 before Luke Cummings’ goal for the visitors on 72 minutes secured the points - and Premier status - for Pontypridd.
Flint Town United tightened the relegation tussle further with a 3-1 win at Airbus UK. After taking a fourth-minute lead through Dan Harrison, Beau Cornish levelled matters a minute into the second half. Two goals from Okera Simmonds and Jean-Louis Akpa-Akpro in as many minutes put Flint back in control.
Flint now have two games left, one of which will be the re-scheduled clash with Caernarfon Town that was abandoned last week.
The teams will play behind closed doors at the Essity Stadium tonight, Wednesday 19 April with the clock re-set to zero and the 2-0 scoreline wiped out.
The Silkmen had raced into a commanding lead in the 16 minutes that were played before the referee took the players off the pitch as violence erupted in the stands.
That led to one fan being taken to hospital with serious injuries and three people later being arrested after violence erupted off the field.
A Flint win would secure their top-flight status and make Caernarfon’s final match at Aberystwyth a relegation decider, with the Canaries still needing to avoid defeat to stay up (see table).
● Haverfordwest County hung on to claim a 1-1 draw at home to
Aberystwyth Town, despite playing the final 17 minutes with 10 men after Kyle Patten received a straight red card.
The point was enough to earn them a place in the battle for the final Europa League qualification spot, although the FAW have yet to confirm their Tier 1 licence for next season.
● THE New Saints sent a shot across the bows of Bala Town two weeks before they clash in the JD Welsh Cup final in Bangor as they beat them 2-0 in the Championship Conference.
The Lakesiders put up a strong fight on home soil, and frustrated the league champions throughout a goalless first half. but 11 minutes after half time, the deadlock was broken when Declan McManus steered the ball home. Two minutes later, Ryan Brobbel converted from close range to double the lead.
Connah’s Quay Nomads and Penybont played out a goalless draw at the Deeside Stadium to confirm the Nomads will finish as runners-up and take the second automatic European place.