A settled starting line-up

Following back-to-back games with an identical starting XI, there was just one change this time round, when Chris Marriott replaced Ben Clark.

That suggests – based on injuries and availability – that Craig Harrison has a settled XI at the moment.

Of course, the key words are ‘at the moment’ because football is very transient and that includes the players that make it from the off.

 

The winning run comes to an end

After twelve consecutive JD Cymru Premier victories, the 0-0 draw means the run has ended.

However, when you step back and look at the big picture, there’s nothing to be concerned about.

To have twelve victories, two draws and no defeats is inevitably a set of statistics that anyone associated with the club would no doubt have taken at this stage, prior to the season starting.

 

We knew it would be a tough encounter

Since promotion to the top-flight, and especially so in recent times, the overall games against Penybont have been tough and certainly the away fixtures.

The draw yesterday means that the last four trips to south Wales have ended with two narrow victories for The New Saints and a couple of draws (0-0, 2-3, 1-2,1-1).

Rhys Griffiths has a well-organised side, they are always difficult to break down and they look dangerous on the break.

 

Not the result that we wanted but a good performance

There are very high standards at The New Saints and, when the players walk out on the pitch, there is only one thing on their mind and that is winning the game.

Naturally, there will be an element of disappointment that wasn’t the case in south Wales but in reality you can’t win every game and, come the final whistle, the team remains unbeaten in the league.

One of the questions that invariably turns up when we interview Craig Harrison post-match is in regards to not only the result but the performance.

Craig was happy enough with what he saw on the pitch and, with Connah’s Quay Nomads also drawing their MD15 game, the lead at the top is still seven points.

 

Another clean sheet

With no goals, debuts or anything else that stood out in that sense, it was an ideal opportunity to interview Connor Roberts after the game.

We all knew that whoever stepped up to replace Paul Harrison this season had a big job ahead of them.

However, hitting the ground running in pre-season and continuing that in the campaign proper, Connor has made that number one position his own.

Although they are just statistics, the goals conceded (five in fourteen) are more than simply numbers on a screen.

They reflect the performances of not just the ‘keeper, or even the defence in front of him, but the whole team.