Just the one change
Although the game against Pontypridd United was the eighth of the month for The New Saints, there was just one change from the starting XI at Caernarfon Town on Tuesday, with Leo Smith replacing Chris Marriott.
Craig Harrison’s trust in the players to go out and perform was justified, with his team winning comfortably come the final whistle.
When you consider that the Caernarfon game itself also saw just one change from the previous outing, it’s an example of the stability and consistency that the head coach has at his disposal even with a crowded fixture list.
Patience is the word
In spite of dominating possession, the team had to be patient and wait until the 32nd minute before the deadlock was broken.
We all know what Ryan Brobbel is capable of and, following a brilliant tackle from Danny Redmond, the number eight set himself up just outside the penalty area as he unleashed a right-footed shot that gave George Ratcliffe no chance.
The goal led to a couple more before the break, as The New Saints established a comfortable half-time lead.
Another late goal
The one that confirmed a 3-0 advantage going into the break followed a Blaine Hudson attempt, with Jordan Williams getting the final touch.
At 90+3 it was another late goal for The New Saints.
It’s not uncommon for us to ask Craig Harrison in his post-match interview if a late goal changed his team talk.
It shows the determination and drive that exists in the team. Until the referee blows his whistle, the players never stop.
A Ben Clark brace
With a goal in each half that, along with his performance in general, was enough to earn Ben Clark the Henstone Distillery Player Of The Match award.
His first goal followed an excellent pass from Ryan Brobbel that found Jordan Williams. It was the low ball in from the right that saw Clark weave his way into the area, taking a number of touches before beating George Ratcliffe with a pinpoint strike.
The second, which wrapped up the win, was the result of a tremendous rocket from outside the box that again gave the ‘keeper no chance.
5-4-3-2-1
The victory against Pontypridd United means that we have now won five games on the bounce.
The 4-0 ensured that we have now ended the run of four games without a clean sheet.
The three points extended the lead at the top of the table briefly to five, although that is now back to two, following Connah’s Quay Nomads’ win in the late game.
Going into the fixture, Pontypridd United had a two-goal advantage over The New Saints as far as goals conceded was concerned (five/seven respectively). That is now seven and nine, in our favour.
We remain the one team that has an unbeaten start to the JD Cymru Premier season. Ten games in we have won eight and drawn two.
Lead image: Brian Jones.
