Fourth Time Lucky For Carnaries - Caernarfon Town vs. Newtown

Impressive slope at The Oval

After really enjoying my trip to North Wales and needing something to work towards, I was keen to book another trip to Wales. This time my trip started at Caernarfon just a short distance from the last stop last year at Bangor. The Welsh Premier League is good for Friday night games and this Friday Caernarfon were hosting Newtown who had beaten tonight's hosts three times already in the league this season but despite this the two sides were level on points in the table. This was Caernarfon's first season back in The Premier League after winning The Cymru Alliance (more on that league in my next post) and had made a strong return sitting in fifth.

Last kick off under lights of the season

The match has a very end of season feel to it but despite this Caernarfon take the lead when the forward is played before he rounds the keeper, rolling the ball into the empty net to send the vocal home support into raptures. Newtown has a good shout for a penalty as the attacker is bundled down in the box but the referee is not interested. Then in a moment which would be replayed at the start of the second half, Caernarfon score while I'm in the toilet.

Caernarfon attacking in the first half

Caernarfon get the assumed third just after the break and they soon get the fourth when the Newtown keeper does well to save a one on one chance but the rebound is hammered in to make it four nil. Late in the second half Newtown have a couple of chances, firstly the Caernarfon defence does well to block a close range shot before the Caernarfon keeper tips over a dipping effort. Then from the resulting corner Newtown get their consolation goal when the ball is forced home from close range.

Newtown looking for the equaliser

It takes a very long time to get to Caernarfon from London. There are the occasional direct trains to Bangor but it is more likely that you'll have to get a train to Chester from Euston and change there for a train to Bangor which takes about three and a bit hours. Then from outside the station you can take the 5C bus into the town square. There is enough in Caernarfon to warrant a stop over and I'm glad I stayed for a couple of nights which allowed a look at the castle and general wander around the impressive town. Pub wise, if you want to eat and have a great view of the water then The Anglesey Arms is brilliant. If you want local ales and beers then both The Black Boy Inn and Bar Bach (apparently the smallest bar in Wales) both have impressive selections. If you want to watch an early kick off then The Palace Vaults on the square and The Eagles Hotel both have the sports channels. The ground is an easy ten minute walk from the centre and I think the section of the clubhouse outside the ground has the sports channels but there was the standard choice of drinks on both sides. Word of warning for programme collectors, there only seemed to be a small number printed so I'd recommend getting there early if you want one. 

Looking towards Snowdonia from the clubhouse end