Average Age Of The Squad
The fifteen players that travelled to the game against Penrhyncoch had an average age of just eighteen. In fact, the only non-teenager in the squad was goalkeeper, Connor Roberts.
The statistics – and more importantly, the way the youngsters conducted themselves both on and off the pitch – is a credit to the Academy system at The New Saints and it certainly looks very good for the future.
First-Half
The team more than held its own in the first period, and could have been ahead themselves, as a goal-bound Lewis Rees effort was tipped behind by Leigh Jenkins.
It looked like it would be goalless at the break but a penalty decision, that was contested by the TNS players on the pitch, was converted with confidence as the hosts went 1-0 up.
Second-Half
The Roosters doubled their lead a couple of minutes into the restart, as they established a two-goal cushion. However, when The New Saints pulled one back with 58 on the clock, it was definitely game-on.
Another quality save from Jenkins again denied the visitors, this time against Rhys Edwards.
Sadly, it wasn’t to be, and the final whistle from Bryn Markham Jones saw Penrhyncoch advance in the competition.
Beau Cornish
Although still a teenager himself, after featuring in three European games so far this season, Beau was one of the senior players on the pitch in that context.
He also scored his first goal for the club, a well-executed finish and one that gave TNS a lifeline and a route back in to the game.
Cornish was the player that we chose as the pre-match interviewee, and again, he was a credit to the Academy set-up at Park Hall.
No Nathaniel MG Cup This Season
Defeat means that it’s all over for The New Saints as far as the Welsh League Cup is concerned this time round.
The club has lifted the trophy on nine occasions, more than any other.
Last season’s competition was cancelled, due to COVID-19, and with exit in earlier rounds in the two previous seasons, it means that we have to go back to 2017/18 when the cup was last on its way to Park Hall come the last whistle in a final.
