Back On Track In The JD Welsh Premier League – Carmarthen Town 0-3 The New Saints FC

Match Report

Goals: Mullan (49), Draper (75), Byrne (90+1′)
Substitutions: Byrne for Edwards (79), Seargeant for Draper (86), Cieslewicz for Brobbel (86)

Second-half goals from Jamie Mullan, Greg Draper and Kurtis Byrne ensured The New Saints beat Carmarthen Town 3-0 and sent Scott Ruscoe’s side temporarily back to the top of the JD Welsh Premier League table.

The Saints had looked lively throughout the first 45 minutes, but despite having chances, failed to find a way to make the breakthrough.

The pressure did eventually tell just four minutes into the second-half when Mullan broke the deadlock and that proved the point of no return for a stubborn Old Gold side.

First-half

It was Carmarthen’s Greg Walters who brought the first save of the match. After picking up the ball roughly 25 yards out from goal, he tried his luck with a shot but the tame effort was a comfortable save for Paul Harrison.

With 28 minutes on the clock, the ball reached Jamie Mullan in the penalty area and the number 14 took a great first touch to take the ball into his stride. Carmarthen’s Tyrell Webbe did well though to get back into position to prevent him getting a shot away.

The home side continued to defend resolutely though, restricting TNS to half-chances.

Simon Spender collected the ball by the right corner flag, before getting his head up and crossing for Draper. The New Zealand international, making his first league start of the season, stretched to reach the ball, but it was the Carmarthen defender who got their first to deflect it for a corner.

Scott Ruscoe will have been pleased as his side ended the first-half very much in the ascendancy. There were appeals for a penalty when a right sided cross was blocked with an arm. The assistant referee raised his flag, but the referee adjudged it to be just outside the box.

The free-kick was whipped into the box but Lee Idzi did well to get a strong hand to the ball and punch it clear.

Second-half

As the whistle blew to begin the second-half, it didn’t take long for the home defence to buckle.

With 49 minutes gone, Jon Routledge floated a dangerous ball to the back post. The danger appeared to be over as the ball was too long for everyone, but in his attempts to get the ball clear, the Carmarthen defender could only head to the ball back into the path of Jamie Mullan.

Mullan made no mistake from six yards out, firing home a first-time volley. 1-0.

Paul Harrison had to be alert with 69 minutes played, as he was called into action, stopping Sean Hanbury from grabbing an equaliser with an instinctive save from point blank range.

It was Greg Draper who made the match comfortable soon after.

Taking advantage of a loose ball in midfield, Draper raced through one on one with the goalkeeper and showed great composure to beat the rushing Lee Idzi. The goal was Draper’s eighth of the season, keeping him top in the golden boot race. 2-0.

Introduced as a substitute with 11 minutes to go, Kurtis Byrne made sure of the win in stoppage time.

After being played in behind the defence following a great pass from Tom Holland, the Irish striker finished well with a subtle flick from a tight angle to the bottom right of the goalkeeper. 3-0.

The win sends The New Saints temporarily back to the top if the JD Welsh Premier League, ahead of Connah’s Quay Nomads visit to Cardiff Metropolitan University, and Saints fans will be hopeful of a favour from the Archers.