Off to a flying start
With the game less than two minutes old, The New Saints took the lead, courtesy of the in-form Brad Young.
In the previous two encounters between the sides, it was Caernarfon Town who got their nose in front first.
On Boxing Day last year, Louis Lloyd’s 14th minute opener gave the Cofis the lead at Park Hall.
Before then, on our last visit to The Oval, Adam Davies found the net in the 6th minute.
Pegged back briefly
Richard Davies is doing a good job since taking over the Caernarfon reins, and you know that his side will never give up. That was the case this time as well, when Sion Bradley scored a tremendous equaliser just minutes after his side went behind.
For the remainder of the initial third of the game, the score remained at 1-1, which was not only a test of the home side’s resolve but also that of The New Saints.
A goal flurry
The delicate balance of the game only lasted until the 30th minute however, when in quick succession a trio of strikes for the visitors established a three-goal cushion. In less than four minutes, a brace from Adrian Cieslewicz was followed by a second for Brad Young, as the league leaders went into the break 4-1 ahead.
Two from Rory Holden in the second period, another for Young (yet another club hat-trick) and one for Blaine Hudson wrapped up the three points in style, with Craig Harrison’s side registering an emphatic 8-1 victory.
What a season it’s been for Young so far. He was brought to the club to score goals and he certainly hasn’t disappointed. He’s stated publicly that he wants to score thirty and win the golden boot. You wouldn’t bet against either, would you?
Captain fantastic
That’s a term that we’ve used in the past to describe Paul Harrison, and then Chris Marriott, as both have put in some great performances while wearing the captain’s armband.
In the absence of Marriott at Caernarfon, it was Adrian Cieslewicz who had the honour of leading the team on the pitch.
With two goals of his own, plus a brace of assists, not to forget his overall performance, the phrase ‘leading by example’ is one that springs to mind.
He was our choice (club media) for post-match player interviewee, and although there’s no Henstone Distillery MOTM for away games, if there was then surely he would have been one of the contenders?
The squad: strength, competition and changes
We often talk with Craig Harrison in the pre-match press conference about the difficulties of choosing the starting XI, and the head coach refers to it as one of the most difficult parts of the job.
In many ways, it’s a self-made ‘problem’ – and one that Harrison relishes – because, along with Chris Seargeant, the management team has assembled an extremely strong squad where competition for places is intense.
The recent acquisition of USA international, Matthew Olosunde, will merely compound the situation, which is one that both Craig and Sarge welcome with open arms.
To emphasise the depth of squad, there was a 60% change in the outfield starting XI from the team that beat Briton Ferry Llansawel the week before. However, the rhythm and fluidity remained the same.
Lead image: Brian Jones.
