Interviews, Nemo, Four Victories, One Club.

We’ve had four weekends and four victories since the last blog and, having finished off last time with a look at the side’s frustrating home draw with Caersws, I’m delighted to say that this latest entry is pretty much a frustration-free zone.

Although the draw against the Bluebirds could probably be seen as two points lost in our attempt to retain the Cymru Alliance title, I think the team showed lots of character to claim a point on an afternoon when the players found it hard to click into gear. On a positive note, the league’s early pacesetters, Prestatyn Town, failed to take advantage because they  also drew on the day and therefore the gap between the sides remained just two points, with the Seasiders also having a match in hand.

There was a timely break from league action for the next two weeks as Iwan and the players switched their attentions to cup action, firstly with a short trip up the A55 to Comwy for a Welsh  Cup tie. I always enjoy visiting the Morfa because it’s a proper ground, with stands and terraces, and it also helps that the Canaries always seem to do well there!

Borough had announced a change in management in the days leading up to the match, and Will Ryder was their latest pick to try to return the Tangerines to former glories. A change in the hot seat  can usually go one of two ways, the new man can either immediately re-invigorate a struggling side as players try to impress him, or his new charges may take a long time to understand and adopt his new

Messi. 

ideas. I’m not too sure how the change affected Conwy though, as Caernarfon were outstanding on the night, and comfortably booked a berth in the second round courtesy of a 5-1 victory. Leading the way for the Cofis was our talisman, Darren Thomas, who ran the show from his position just behind Jamie Breese, and chipped in with two goals. Prior to the match, there had been much talk of the possible influx of new players to the hosts line-up but this did not materialise and whilst I have no idea how their new manager saw the match, I do know that our gaffer was delighted with the result! Iwan is desperate for a good run in the competition, and I know that he’s still disappointed by last season’s exit at the hands of Goytre so when I interviewed him after the match, he was in great spirits.

Talking of the post-match interviews we’ve introduced this season, they seem to be quite popular, judging by the number of views received on facebook and twitter. The feedback has been positive thus far and whilst I appreciate that I’m no Michael Parkinson I hope that, together with Iwan and the players, we’re able to provide supporters with a useful addition to the match reports.

Before moving on from the Conwy tie, I must admit that a most enjoyable Friday evening watching Town win under the floodlights did have one worrying moment when a Caernarfon supporter shared with me his secret of keeping warm at football matches. Expecting a tip that I could possibly use myself during the coming months I was somewhat taken aback when he told me that his secret weapon against the elements are his wife’s tights, which he was wearing at the time. It was a rather awkward moment when he blurted out the words, and I’m sure he immediately regretted imparting the information so, for fear of embarrassing him, and just in case his wife doesn’t know he borrowed her undergarments, I’ll keep his identity to myself, however tempting it is not to!  

The following week saw us travel to Powys as the team began its defence of the league cup with a tricky looking tie at Caersws. It seemed strange playing them again just fourteen days after the 1-1 draw at the Oval and I think everyone expected another tough, and close encounter with Graham Evans’ side and whilst they certainly played to the same level again, Town were much better this time around and were worthy 3-0 victors.

Kev Lloyd, playing better than ever.

It was an entertaining match with both sides creating goalscoring opportunities and it was due only to the expertise of the two goalkeepers that the score was kept relatively low. Both Keighan Jones and Luke Evans pulled off some fines saves and, whilst Caersws could count themselves unlucky to concede two own goals, Caernarfon’s three goal winning margin seemed a fair reflection of the difference between the sides on the day. Incidentally, Town’s third goal was very well taken by Kevin Lloyd who, in my opinion, is playing better than ever since he returned to the club earlier this season. When I spoke with Kev during the summer he told me he had been surprised to still be playing at this level but I hope he doesn’t feel like that now, because he’s been brilliant during the past two months. During the somewhat arduous trip to the match I had decided that if the team won I’d ask the goalscorer(s) for a photo together but, bearing in mind the two own goals, I thought better of it!

Gaz Edwards carrying out his new second job as our 
woodwork strength tester.

It was another good away performance from the team and whilst this latest visit to one of my favourite away grounds was a most enjoyable one I feel I need to point out that the match officials did not have the most consistent of afternoons. I know that the referee and his assistants have a thankless task and that one of the teams and their supporters will always disagree with every decision they make but on this occasion, I thought the standards dipped below the acceptable levels. For those who may not have been to the Recreation Ground, the home dugout is situated nearer the corner flag than the halfway line and therefore the Caersws management team and substitutes sit directly behind the linesman running that touchline. This means the official is put under immense  pressure by the hosts’ management whenever there is a decision to be made, or not, and I’m afraid that during this match it seemed that their constant appealing may have swayed the assistant’s decision making on occasion. I’m not criticising Caersws because they’re obviously trying to gain any advantage they can but the proximity of the dugouts to the linesman is something I believe the Cymru Alliance League should look at.

Iwan Williams, manager and magician.

Iwan was in a rush to get off after the match but still had time to carry out his customary trick of fitting a coach load of gear in the back of his car before setting off! (see photo). 

The Cofis were back in league action seven days later when Conwy Borough were the visitors. This match had originally been scheduled to be played at the Morfa but, due to groundwork being carried out there, the clubs agreed to a switch of venue and I hoped that the players could find a way of replicating their away form on home turf as they seem to have been playing better on their travels this season.

The match started well and we were dominating possession but, having failed to find the target early on, the Tangerines took advantage and went into a surprise lead which they soon doubled. As blasé as it might sound now I didn’t feel overly concerned at two goals down because the players had opened up Conwy’s defence on plenty of occasions during the first match and opening half an hour of this encounter to suggest they could bounce back and take at least a point and, from the moment Kev Lloyd pulled a goal back, it seemed almost inevitable that the Cofis would go on to win the match. Danny Brookwell hit the target to ensure that the teams were level at half-time and the Cofis put on a powerful display after the break to find the net on three more occasions, through Nathan  Craig, Cory Williams and Gareth Edwards. 

Cory Williams made an instant impact against Conwy.

A special mention here to Cory, who came on off the bench and scored with his first contribution, cutting inside from the right flank before beating his marker and curling an effort into the bottom far corner of the net. An excellent strike from him that shows the quality he has and I’m sure we’ll see plenty more of the same from him in the future.

As has become the norm of late, I carried out a post-match interview on video with Iwan and he was as forthright as ever in his comments. This time, however, he was under the added pressure of having been challenged by his players and coaching staff to include the word ‘mushroom’ in his interview, which he just about managed, although I’m not sure how was able to carry on after getting his word in! Cory was also given a challenge in his interview and came up trumps and whilst I’m not convinced it’s the best idea they’ve had (thinking mainly of making my job harder!) it’s a great sign that there’s a good craic in the squad.

I felt that the manner of the victory over Conwy might prove a turning point in the side’s form at home and there couldn’t be many tougher opportunities to test the theory than the visit of Guilsfield to the Oval on Saturday.

Anyone who has even a passing interest in the Cymru Alliance League will know that he Guils are a very strong side and have been for a number of years. The squad may change slightly from time to time but one thing you can be sure of when playing Danny Barton’s side is a real challenge, both  physically and mentally. They are a very tough side to break down and can muscle most teams out of matches, as proved when they beat us at the Oval last term. That defeat still rankles with Iwan and I know he was even more desperate than usual for his side to gain victory this time around. The players did not let him down as they put on a superb performance to win by five goals to one in what I feel was the best home performance of the season thus far.

Dany Brookwell opened the scoring against Guilsfield.

There were many strong performances on the day but it was Darren Thomas who stole the show with a virtuoso showing, running the match from his free role on the park. Guilsfield had no answer to Town’s frontline as Messi prompted Kev Lloyd, Jamie Breese and Danny Brookwell 

with his clever runs and interplay. Following Darren and Danny’s early goals, Nathan Craig got a brace to give him eleven goals in as many matches this term whilst it was great to see Breesy finding the net again after looking slightly frustrated in the last two matches. Jamie has been the league’s top scorer for the last two seasons and whilst I believe he is the best striker in the league there’s much more to his game than scoring goals. His work ethic is second to none and I would love to see the distance he covers in matches. Three words that describe Jamie to me are: Striker. Team. Player. 

Recent signing Danny Sullivan. 

I’m sure that one or two teams would have been looking at our match with Guilsfield with interest, and maybe expecting us to drop points, so to beat such a strong side by five goals to one was some statement by the team although, typically of Iwan, he was still not totally satisfied, and gave the side a seven out of ten for the performance! Oh, and just in case you’re wondering, the word of the day for the manager was Nemo (I kid you not!) whilst Nathan had to find a way to get washing basket into his post-match interview! I’m not sure where all this silly word nonsense will end, but I’ll be trying my best to keep it clean!

Despite being on such a great run of form the manager has strengthened his squad even further in recent weeks with the addition of two quality signings, Danny Sullivan from Flint and Charley Robertson, who had to wait an astonishing thirty one days for international clearance to don the yellow shirt. Both have made their debuts for us now and I'm sure they'll be looking to get into the side as soon as possible. Competition in the squad is healthy and we've got it in spades!   

Saturday was a special day for the club as a whole because we had been invited by the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum in Caernarfon to lay poppy crosses in the Garden of Remembrance at the Castle. To be given such an opportunity to pay our respects to those who gave their lives for us in wartime was an honour and privilege for the club and the time we had at the Castle is one of my proudest as a supporter. We had representatives from the first team, the ladies team and the Academy and it was very emotional to be there together.

Finally, I’ve been busier than usual on Press Officer duty recently and couldn’t be happier about it! In the past week or so the club has been

able to announce a car deal with B & K Williams Garages and we are also putting something together about the huge contribution the Canaries club have made to the club in recent months. Everyone who lives locally will know that co-owner of B & K Garages. Kevin Williams, is a keen fan of the club and so it’s great that he’s been able to help us secure a great deal for a car that will enable Nathan Craig to carry out his duties as the Head of the Football in the Community project. As for the Canaries, I can say from personal experience that their support has been critical to the club in the last eighteen months, and especially so over the course of the last six months. They are putting money and time into the maintenance of the Oval and I think we’d have been struggling without them during this transitional period for the club’s Board. They have three seats on the new Board and I’m sure we’ll keep on working together to improve all aspects of the club.        

Iwan has brought the One Club motto to Caernarfon Town and whilst there may still be a way to go before we fully reach that point, I’m more confident than ever that we will get there.

Come on Town!