An early goal but not in the visitors’ script
With both sides looking to establish themselves in the game from the off, it was Penybont who got their nose in front in the sixth minute.
A Mael Davies cross from the right was met in the penalty area by Chris Venables, who saw his header beat Connor Roberts and end up in the back of the net.
Not the start that we wanted but, as in life, it’s not how you begin but how you finish and as far as that was concerned, in yesterday’s game there was a happy ending.
Down but not out at the break
Although the Penybont lead was still intact when Bryn Markham-Jones blew the half-time whistle, the signs were there that The New Saints may have been down but they certainly weren’t out.
In the final quarter of an hour, the woodwork was struck by both Ryan Brobbel and Leo Smith. In addition, from the 27th minute the hosts had been playing with ten men, following the dismissal of Josh Yorweth after the defender struck Ryan Astles.
A Brad Young brace
Within twelve minutes of the restart, the JD Cymru Premier leaders were in front for the first time in the game.
He was brought to the club to find the net, and that’s exactly what Brad Young is doing, as he scored his second brace in the league.
Bearing in mind that he had no pre-season campaign, he’s certainly hit the ground running. Obviously a replacement for Declan McManus, who is out injured at the moment, TNS fans will be greatly encouraged by Craig Harrison’s post-match comments that he’s looking forward to seeing the two of them play together rather than competing for one place.
Ryan Brobbel signs off the victory in style
Since his arrival at the club, back in the first spell of Craig Harrison’s management, Ryan Brobbel has been consistent as far as assists, contribution and performances have been concerned.
He’s also scored some superb goals and that was the case yesterday in south Wales.
The first, ten minutes after Young had given the visitors the lead, saw him cut in from the left and unleash a shot that gave the ‘keeper no chance.
When he added a second, it was all over for the home side, as his tremendous free-kick beat the wall and saw Alex Harris picking the ball out of the net for the fourth time.
Still looking good on four fronts
The victory, combined with results elsewhere, means that Craig Harrison’s side now has a lead of four points at the top of the JD Cymru Premier.
Still featuring in three cup competitions, the gap means that when the next batch of league fixtures are played, even though TNS will be involved elsewhere, regardless of other results the club will still be leading the way at the top.
From MD1, The New Saints has been at the top of the pile and to see that continue into the second-half of phase one, if nothing else, gives a psychological boost.
As far as football league tables are concerned, it’s better to be the one pursued than to be the chaser.
