Manager Eardley’s Delight At Fightback By Caernarfon’s Canaries

Leaders Caernarfon Town produced a sensational fight-back in their Huws Gray Alliance top of the table clash with hosts Airbus Broughton.

Caernarfon’s Canaries were three goals down after 21 minutes at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium, but they fought back with pride and spirit in the second half.

The Wingmakers were totally dominant before the break and went close to a fourth goal when Wes Baynes smashed his shot against the bar.

But Caernarfon hit back in style and earned a point after scoring three times in the last 30 minutes. They sent on substitutes Gareth Edwards and Jay Gibbs at the start of the second half, change their formation and took over in the second half.

Sean Eardley has been appointed Caernarfon first team manager. He replaces Iwan Williams, who has taken charge at Llandudno.

Eardley has appointed Richard Davies as his assistant with Mike Innes also joining the management team and they will be delighted at the spirit shown by their team.

Airbus went ahead after only four minutes. Alfons Fosu-Mensah had already gone close with a 20 yard effort before a catastrophic clearance from visiting goalkeeper Alex Ramsay rebounded off Leo Riley and into the net.

Kristian Platt tested Ramsay with a 22-yard free-kick and Fosu-Mensah was narrowly wide from further out before the lead was doubled when Ramsay saved Platt’s header from a free-kick and Steve Tomassen hammered home the rebound from outside the box.

Fosu-Mensah added a superb individual goal, cutting in from the right and tracking across the edge of the area before beating Ramsay again.

During a hectic second spell the game the home team were rocked by the strength of Caernarfon’s recovery.

Goalkeeper Andy Coughlin made a good tip over save following a corner and the visitors hit the bar before pulling a goal back on 63 minutes when Gareth Edwards scored from a rebound after Coughlin had saved.

Danny Brookwell added their second three minutes later before the visitors had captain Nathan Craig sent off for two bookings in a minute. His second yellow came after 83 minutes for complaining that Airbus had not retreated at a set-piece.

Craig had only just left the pitch when substitute Gibbs took the free-kick and fired into the bottom corner through a crowded box to complete Caernarfon’s comeback in a 3-3 draw.

Gresford Athletic were the days highest scorers in Alliance football when they scored seven at bottom club Llandudno Junction. Adam Davies put them ahead after five minutes and by half-time they were 4-0 in front. Owen Roberts and Obi Anoruo (2) hit the target.

Roberts made it five after 50 minutes, while Onoruo missed a penalty before Adam Aden netted for Junction. Anoruou completed his hat-trick just after the hour mark before Edwards added Gresford’s seventh.

Gresford have suffered only one defeat in their last 10 games in all competitions and now have five home league games before Christmas.

They are also preparing for their JD Welsh Cup tie against Llandudno FA away.

Rhyl won 3-2 at Flint Town United where the home team led twice before a late goal sealed the points for visitors Rhyl.

Carl Rodgers fired Flint ahead after 15 minutes, while Tom Walsh levelled for Rhyl five minutes before the break.

Kyle Smyth restored Flint’s lead just after half-time before Carwyn Jones equalised at 2-2.

Rhyl sealed the points thanks to a second Walsh goal in the 89th minute.

Ruthin Town and Caersws drew. Steve Blenkinsopp gave Cws the lead and Ilan Hughes to scored the equaliser for Ruthin.

Two first half goals from Andrew Swarbrick and Josh Davies gave Denbigh Town the points at Holyhead Hotspur.

Sion Bradley gave Porthmadog the half advantage against visitors Penrhyncoch and further goals in the second from Ifan Emlyn and Iwan Lewis maintained Porthmadog’s recent good run of results.

They have won five successive league and cup fixtures and have climbed two places to fifth ahead of this week’s opponents Guilsfield on goal difference.

Porthmadog: Richard Harvey, Tomos Emlyn, Josh Banks, Dan Roberts, Tom Taylor. Rob Evans (Julian Williams 46), Ifan Emlyn, Iddon Price, Cai Jones (Iwan Lewis 67), Joe Chaplin (Meilir Williams 79), Sion Bradley. Subs not used: Leon Doran, Gareth Jones Evans, Jake Jones.

Penrhyncoch: Leigh Jenkins, Eilian Evans, Cledan Davies, Sion James, Jon Foligno, Owain James, Carwyn Jones (Nathan Warren 86), Antonio Corbisiero, Matthew Mousley (Sion Meredith 86), Jon Evans, Liam Lewis. Subs not used: Gari Lewis, Derfel Reynolds, Kevin Jenkins.

Referee: Cheryl Foster

Attendance: 252

Huws Gray Alliance results: Airbus Broughton 3, Caernarfon Town 3; Flint Town United 2, Rhyl 3; Guilsfield 0, Holywell Town 0; Porthmadog 3, Penrhyncoch 0; Llandudno Junction 1, Gresford Athletic 7; Ruthin Town 1, Caersws 1; Holyhead Hotspur 0, Denbigh Town 2.

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