Not the initial response that was expected
Following on from last weekend’s disappointment in Scotland, the expectancy of many was that, as is so often the case in that scenario, The New Saints would bounce back with immediate effect.
However, at Latham Park in the JD Welsh Cup semi-final, it was Cardiff Met who grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, as far as goals were concerned.
A Tom Vincent double saw the Archers take a 2-0 by the 37th minute. It certainly wasn’t in the TNS script.
A lifeline just before the break
With Ryan Jenkins’ side enjoying a comfortable lead as we edged towards the break, The New Saints were thrown a lifeline when the lively Jordan Williams was fouled inside the penalty area.
Stepping up to the mark, the trademark shuffle, followed by the ball struck home with pace, saw Declan McManus reduce the deficit in the 44th minute.
It was a massive goal psychologically, not only for one side to score but the other to concede. Would it have an effect upon the game though? The second period indicated that it did.
A game of two halves
Whatever Craig Harrison said to the players during the break – and his post-match comments indicated that it wasn’t a soft and fluffy half-time talk – it certainly worked.
With five further goals during the second period – and all of them going the way of the Welsh Cup holders – from floundering at 0-2, The New Saints ran out comfortable 6-2 winners in the end.
Let’s not forget Connor Robert’s brilliant save as well, when Cardiff Met were 2-1 ahead.
Whether the start was a hangover from the SPFL Trust Trophy final defeat or not, is difficult to say. One thing we can state though is that it most certainly a game of two halves.
A hat-trick for Declan McManus
Replacing Josh Pask as the only change in the starting XI from the previous game, Declan McManus confirmed Craig Harrison’s confidence in him by scoring another career hat-trick.
A quick-fire brace in the 55th and 57th minute initially drew The New Saints level and then put the side ahead for the first time in the game.
As Craig Harrison so often says in the club’s pre-match press conferences, choosing the eleven players who start is one of the most difficult parts of the job.
Well, after his three goals in less than twenty minutes, McManus has made the job even harder.
A Brace for Brad
It was an exciting prospect for TNS fans to see both Declan McManus and Brad Young in the team from the off. Although it took a while before the opening goal, between them they scored five of the six.
Scoring from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute, although he found the net right at the end, unfortunately for Young a third goal proved elusive.
The big picture, however, is that our impressive JD Welsh Cup form continues. We have to go back to March, 2018, for the last time we tasted defeat in the competition.
Lead image courtesy of Brian Jones.
