Caernarfon Town 3 Newtown 5

JAMES Davies scored twice before fellow substitute Jamie Breese returned to haunt his former club as Newtown prevailed in an eight goal thriller at Caernarfon Town.

Manager Chris Hughes paid tribute to his players following a thrilling play-off final as the Robins secured a return to Europe and a place in the Europa Conference.

Hughes said: “We were second bottom after lockdown and we’ve won two away games here, and these lads never fail to amaze me.

"We have come back after lockdown and now we’re on our second European tour in six years and for a club of our size that is unbelievable.

“Next year it goes to three teams in Europe so it might be the last chance for a club of our size. Unbelievable.”

The match ebbed and flowed from the opening minute with both sides leading before Newtown pulled away at the end.

Much of the pre-match talk had centred on the Welsh Government's ongoing ban on supporters attending Welsh pyramid football but, predictably, that failed to stop hundreds of Caernarfon fans finding any vantage point outside the ground for a view.

The match was repeatedly held after an eighth minute clash of heads between Shane Sutton and Paulo Mendes which saw the home midfielder struggle on for the next quarter of an hour.

Caernarfon led on 17 minutes when a long ball from Louis Augustin fell between Sutton and Kieran Mills-Evans for Jack Kenny to chip advancing goalkeeper Dave Jones.

Caernarfon continued to dictate the game with Darren Thomas firing wide before the Robins finally began imposing themselves.

Newtown were back on terms on 37 minutes when Alex Fletcher's long throughball released Lufimpa Mwandwe who was clattered by goalkeeper Lewis Brass in the area.

Referee Huw Jones pointed to the spot and Nick Rushton made no mistake.

Newtown players celebrate. Picture by H18-PDW Photography.

Newtown players celebrate. Picture by H18-PDW Photography.

It got even better for Newtown just before the break with Rushton's shot from the right spilled by Brass for Mwandwe to drill home the rebound.

Noah Edwards led Caernarfon's response with a surging run and weak shot smothered by Jones as Newtown ended the half in front.

The second-half saw Caernarfon come out of the traps with Sion Bradley full of energy while Edwards also dragged wide.

Newtown almost celebrated a third when Craig Williams' inswinging corner forced Brass to punch clear from under the bar on 55 minutes.

The second-half proved a testament to the quality our national league has to offer and why fans were so desperate to be allowed into the ground.

On 58 minutes the home side drew level with Darren Thomas making no mistake after seizing upon Mills-Evans' attempted headed clearance from Louis Augustin's left wing corner.

Seven minutes later Mills-Evans was in action at the other end, shaking the post with a spectacular volley with Newtown appeals for a handball in the aftermath waved away by referee Jones.

Newtown players celebrate. Picture by H18-PDW Photography.

Newtown players celebrate. Picture by H18-PDW Photography.

Brass was forced into action to parry away Rushton's low right wing while Tyrone Ofori ballooned over the bar after more hood work by Rushton as Newtown looked to get their noses back in front.

However Caernarfon weathered the storm and on 73 minutes a swift break from Jake Bickerstaff released Darren Thomas to lash home and send the home fans outside the ground into frenzy.

Caernarfon were now dreaming of a first ever appearance in Europe but the Newtown bench had two aces up their sleeve.

The introduction of Davies and Breese with 15 minutes remaining paid immediate dividends and on 77 minutes Craig Williams' curling left wing free-kick was met by Davies to head home from six yards.

Four minutes later Newtown broke through Mwandwe before releasing Davies who wrong footed Joe Williams to slot past Brass to complete a remarkable 10 minutes at the Oval,

Newtown sealed victory with five minutes remaining with Breese scrambling home after Brass parried a Davies shot after a quickly taken free-kick from Williams caught Caernarfon napping.

While Breese respected his former club with restrained celebrations his goal ensured no way back for the Canaries and ensured Newtown a place in the inaugural Europa Conference.

Caernarfon Town

Lewis Brass, Joe Williams (Cai Jones 87'), Gareth Edwards, Louis Augustin, Sion Bradley, Paulo Mendes (Ryan Williams 27'), Mike Hayes (Jake Bickerstaff 46'), Darren Thomas, Noah Edwards , Jack Kenny, Max Cleworth. Subs not used: Tyler French, Gruffydd John, Telor Williams, Michael Parker.

Newtown AFC

Dave Jones, Kieran Mills-Evans, Nick Rushton, Jordan Evans, Craig Williams, Tyrone Ofori (Jamie Breese 75'), Ryan Edwards, Shane Sutton, Alex Fletcher (James Davies 79'), Lifumpa Mwandwe (James O'Neill 89'), Callum Roberts. Subs not used: Kham Steventon, Jake Phillips, Sean McAllister, Dylan Downs.