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The Alex silence The Canaries

The Alex silence The Canaries

Barry Couchman10 Jan 2015 - 20:35
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Mold Alex continued their impressive run in The Huws Gray Alliance with a 4-1 win over title contenders Caernarfon Town

The Alex pitch held up well after the overnight rain and there was never a doubt that the match would go ahead, so the 80+ spectators that came to Alyn Park awaited a top game between two very good sides.
Caernarfon came with a very strong side that included new signings, experienced Steve Lewis and Corey Williams but it was Mold that were on the front foot in the early exchanges. Good early movement and attempts from Hadyn Cooper and Aarron Stafford gave The Alex the confidence to run at the Caernarfon defence and the visitors looked shaky. On 17 minutes good closing down by Stafford won him the ball on the touchline by the Canaries penalty box and he worked it inside for Cooper who moved it quickly onto John McAuliffe 25 yards from goal. McAuliffe controlled with his chest and hit the dropping ball on the volley, sending it flying into the top corner past the helpless visiting 'keeper. This was as good a goal as you will see and was a deserved opening goal for The Alex.
With the crowd still buzzing about the spectacular strike Mold pulled further ahead when Stafford played Lewis Buckley in at the edge of the box and his low strike bobbled through the hands and then legs of the 'keeper into the net to make it 2-0.
The Alex were running the game and their own box hardly came under any severe pressure and such was their confidence that they continued to push forward and test the visitors goal. After further efforts from Cooper, Stafford and McAuliffe the Alex won a corner on the right and Centre Half Danny Dalton ventured forward. The ball was swung into the box and Dalton rose highest to power the ball into the back of the net to put The Alex 3 up before the break.
Caernarfon almost pulled one back before half time but new boy Steve Lewis put his effort high over the bar from less than 6 yards.
However the Alex controlled the remaining few minutes and kept the 3 gaol lead going into the break.

The second half started with Mold quick out of the traps and Thomas Murray almost stretched the lead further but his goal bound shot was well saved. The Alex continued to take the game to Caernarfon but as the half wore on the visitors played their way back into the game and started to look more threatening. The Alex's early season defensive frailties are now a thing of the past and the back line kept their opposing strikers to long range efforts and scraps. Playing on the counter Mold fashioned a couple of good positions but failed to make the most of them however it continued to give the Canaries something to think about as they pushed further forward in search of a goal to bring them back into the contest.
With time running out the visitors were thrown a lifeline when the ref awarded a soft penalty for a push as Danny Dalton jumped to head the ball on the edge of his own area. New signing Steve Lewis stepped up and coolly put the spot kick past John Burns to set up an exciting final 10 minutes.
The visitor's goal seemed to regalvanise Mold and rather than sitting back to soak up pressure they went forward with purpose and their efforts were rewarded with a fourth goal when Lewis Buckley fired home after a period of controlled play from The Alex.
Mold then showed great maturity as they played out the remaining few minutes of the game with neat, controlled passing and movement to keep the ball away from their more experienced opponents. With almost 5 minutes of extra time played the ref brought proceeding to an end with The Alex worthy winners over the league's second placed side.

This was a fantastic performance from all of the lads and shows just how much they have developed this season. At the Oval, Caernarfon gave The Alex a football lesson but today the pupils showed the teachers just how much they'd learnt. This was not a result because the pitch was a leveller, or because Caernarfon had key players missing and was definitely not because Mold were lucky, it was a well deserved win borne out of hard work and talent.

Next Week the Alex travel to Llanidloes Town looking to reverse the home loss they suffered in September.

COME ON THE ALEX!!!

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