The New Saints got their 2026/27 pre-season campaign underway this afternoon with a behind-closed-doors friendly against Player FC.
With the UEFA Champions League qualifying campaign just over a month away, the game provided head coach Craig Harrison with an opportunity to assess his side in a match environment for the first time since returning to training, while several new recruits also made their unofficial debuts.
There was nothing to separate the two sides in a competitive first-half, but the closest anyone came to breaking the deadlock was summer signing Rhys Hughes.
The former Connah's Quay Nomads man struck the post with a long-range effort in the 29th minute, but there was nobody in a blue shirt on hand to convert the rebound.
Following the restart, though, it took less than three minutes for the Player defence to be breached as the JD Cymru Premier Player of the Season converted from a corner to make the score 1-0.
Last season's Golden Boot winner thought he'd scored a second just minutes later, but his first-time strike from the edge of the penalty area drifted narrowly wide of the post.
On the hour mark, the head coach opted for wholesale changes, with the entire starting 11 making way for players from the club's academy system.
Taking advantage of the switch in personnel, the visitors hit back in the 69th minute, with free agent Jim Simms curling the ball beyond the reach of Nathan Shepperd from the left side of the penalty area.
Sixteen minutes from time, though, the Saints restored their advantage when substitute Jake Morris converted a rebound at close range following some good work on the edge of the box by fellow substitute Caleb Afful.
With the final kick of the game, Oli Large had the chance to find the scoresheet as he raced in behind the defence, but the visiting goalkeeper got out quickly to pull off a smart save and deny the teenager.
It proved to be a useful exercise for the Saints who, with a 2-1 victory, began their pre-season campaign in winning fashion, and gave Harrison plenty of positives to take from the afternoon.
