One-Quarter Of The Way Through The Season

The JD Cymru Premier MD8 game at Deeside Stadium means that we have completed one-quarter of the league fixtures. The New Saints’ good start to the season continues, with twenty-two points from eight games, as the unbeaten run continues.

Combined with Bala Town dropping points at home to Cefn Druids, the lead at the top is now six points.

 

Nothing Unlucky About Thirteen 

Thirteen minutes in the second period the referee pointed to the spot, and once everything had settled down Declan McManus scored his thirteenth competitive goal for The New Saints.

The win also means that the gap between the Saints and the Nomads in the table is thirteen points.

 

The Penalty Secures The Three Points

Come the final whistle, the spot-kick proved to be the defining moment as far as the score was concerned.

Initially, when Jordan Williams went over in the area, play continued. Then the referee blew, there was consultation with the assistant referee, and the penalty was awarded.

Penalty or not? The Sgorio footage is available to watch on social media, you decide for yourself.

As far as the moment was concerned though, who better to be on the ball than Declan. It was another confident and well-executed kick.

 

Cards 

It was a physical encounter at times, with a total of nine yellow cards handed out. Two players – Keston Davies and George Horan – received two each, which meant that they also had their marching orders.

The dismissals, in the 89th minute, saw both sides complete the game with ten men.

 

Late Drama

In the sixth minute of added time at the end of the game, Connah’s Quay thought they had snatched a dramatic equaliser.

However, again after consultation with the assistant referee, the strike was disallowed as The New Saints picked up the first win at Deeside Stadium since 2019.

 

Lead image courtesy of Brian Jones.