Caernarfon Town were today's
visitors to the Recreation Ground in Caersws, and the
resultant 2 - 2 scoreline was a fair reflection of a fast
paced and exciting game, with both sides still going flat-out
for a result at the final whistle.
In the first few minutes Caersws pressed forward looking
for an early goal, but it was Caernarfon who opened the
scoring in the fifth minute, when Chris Moores broke free but
was pushed in the back in the Caersws area by the Blues,
keeper Andy Mulliner. Moores converted the penalty himself.
Three minutes later Graham Evans shot narrowly over, for the
Bluebirds, and then in the twelfth minute Caersws deservedly
drew level when, following a Graham Jones cross from the
right, Graham Evans header was palmed away by Caernarfon Town
keeper Ian Willcock into the path of Mark Howells, who slammed
the ball into the back of the Canaries net from 10 yards.
Caersws continued to push forward, with Kevin Scott sending a
rasping 30 yards drive narrowly wide of the post. On 22
minutes the Canaries keeper pushed Jamie Davies' cross from
the right wide.
Caernarfon had an opportunity to regain the lead two
minutes later when James McIlvogue headed narrowly wide at the
back post from a Lloyd Roberts cross from the right. Home
keeper Mulliner then produced an excellent save, pushing Lloyd
Roberts' 18-yard shot wide of the post for a corner.
Caernarfon went a man down in the 30th minute, when referee
Phil Southall dismissed Craig Hogg, apparently for
head-butting an opponent. The Canaries then defended in
numbers for the remainder of the half, with Mark Howells
having a long-range effort held, and both Kevin Scott and
Geraint Lewis having headers saved. On the stroke of half time
Lloyd Roberts broke for Caernarfon, but sent his resulting 25
yard shot well over the bar.
The visitors started the second half strongly, with
McIlvogue sending a header wide on 49 minutes. They retook the
lead against the odds when keeper Andy Mulliner brilliantly
saved a Chris Moores header on 52 minutes, but unfortunately
for the Blues custodian, the ball fell kindly to James
McIlvogue, who netted from close range.
Play continued to flow rapidly from end to end, with
Caernarfon making light of their one man disadvantage.
Mark Howell had header, from a Kevin Scott long throw,
well held by the Canaries keeper on 70 minutes. Three minutes
later Bluebird Andy Davies saw his 25 yard shot whistle
narrowly wide of the post with the keeper well beaten. Keeper
Willcock came to the Cofis rescue again, pulling off two
tremendous saves. The first, on 74 minutes pushing Geraint
Lewis' 25 yard stinging shot wide at the expense of a corner.
The corner was delayed while Willcock received treatment for
his hand as a result, but from the set-piece he brilliantly
pushed Andy Davies header onto the post and to safety.
The long anticipated Caersws equaliser came in the 76th minute
when following a cross from the left by Graham Evans saw
Geraint Lewis score with a diving header which clipped the
post before entering the net.
Caersws were reduced to ten men on 78 minutes when
midfielder Kevin Scott was harshly dismissed by the referee
for a second yellow card offence, allegedly kicking the ball
away as the whistle was blown.
Caernarfon continued to look dangerous, and stretched the home
defence on a number of occasions, with the impressive sub Carl
Rodgers hitting the post, and the Bluebirds keeper, Andy
Mulliner, was forced to produce an excellent save with his
feet by Caernarfon sub Gareth Griffiths, in a one-on-one
situation after Griffiths broke free from the home defence.
The last six minutes belonged to the home team, who
pounded the visitors defence, with Andy Davies seeing another
header brilliantly saved by Willcock, following a Graham Jones
cross.
Both managers will have been reasonably happy with a point, in
an exciting match, which saw some physical, yet not dirty,
play, but which was not really helped by some curious
decisions by Phil Southall.
The Bluebirds remain unbeaten this season, and now face a
trip to Barry in midweek for the return leg of the League Cup
first round, before entertaining Connah's Quay Nomads in the
Premier League next Saturday.
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