In spite of injury, a settled starting XI
There was just one change from the side that beat Connah’s Quay Nomads on JD Cymru Premier opening day, with Danny Davies in for the injured Chris Marriott.
Craig Harrison has documented the injury situation in recent club interviews, so it’s no secret that a number of key players are currently out of contention.
However, the fact that there was just the one change – and it was still a very strong starting eleven – shows that we are still on the right side of the line.
With another full week before our next game, that’s positive time as far as returning players are concerned.
A tough game against Pontypridd United
Invariably, when we do our pre-match press conference interviews with Craig Harrison, reference will be made to the upcoming fixture being a challenge.
The reality is that there are no ‘easy’ games in the top-flight of Welsh football, and regardless of the final score, the ninety minutes or so on the pitch will often tell a different story.
Pontypridd United were well-organised, have some very good players who work as a team and in addition had an excellent George Ratcliffe between the sticks.
Plus, everyone wants to especially beat The New Saints and inevitably games will be raised.
Show of character from the champions
With the clock ticking down and the game still locked at 0-0, it would have been easy for those watching on to think that it was going to end that way.
However, one thing you come to know from being around the team is that there is an exceptional depth of character. From staff to players, there is never any conceding that it might not work out.
As long as the game is in progress, there is always a confident belief that it will come good.
And it did.
A touch of brilliance from Dan Williams
Just before the deadlock was broken in the encounter, we made the comment on TNS Radio that it might be either a moment of madness or a touch of brilliance that would result in a goal.
It was the latter and fortunately for us, it was in our favour.
As we edged towards the final ten minutes, Dan Williams collected the ball on the right.
After making a couple of touches and while still just outside the penalty area, his next contact saw the ball beat Ratcliffe and end up in the back of the net.
It was an excellent strike and you can watch that on our X account, courtesy of Sgorio.
A clean sheet
After six competitive games on the bounce where we fell behind, that run was put to bed at USW Sport Park.
Not only did we find ourselves not chasing the game but we registered our first clean sheet of the new JD Cymru Premier season as well.
It’s very early days yet, of course, but we maintain our position at the top of the table as the 100% start continues.
There are just two other sides in that position, as well as only a brace who have failed to pick up a single point yet. Is that a sign perhaps that 2023/24 is going to be a particularly close season for the bulk of the clubs?
