Richmond Park Comeback, As The New Saints Hit Carmarthen Town For Six

Match Report

Goals: Edwards (16, 74), Draper (38, 47), Byrne (65, 80)
Substitutions: Short for Edwards (80), Bailey for Whitehouse (80)

Match report: Sam Wood

The New Saints showed great resolve at they came behind from two goals down to claim all three points against Carmarthen Town at Richmond Park.

Having started the match well, Scott Ruscoe’s side found themselves 2-0 down after just 11 minutes through a Luke Bowen effort and Jon Routledge own goal.

It was the perfect response however, as the JD Cymru Premier champions hit their opponents for six without reply, as they moved back to the top of the table.

First-half

It was a strong start to the game by The New Saints, and Kurtis Byrne brought the first save from the goalkeeper with just six minutes gone, as he soon with the ball inside the area.

But despite the away side’s early pressure, it was the home side who found themselves ahead. A mix-up in The Saints’ defence presented the ball at the feet of Luke Bowen, and the Carmarthen number nine made no mistake with a cool finish into an empty goal. 1-0.

And just three minutes later things got worse. A free-kick on the far side came into the penalty area and it was Jon Routledge who got an unfortunate touch to the ball, diverting it past Harrison for an own goal. 2-0.

Scott Ruscoe’s side reacted well though, and it took just five minutes for the deficit to be reduced. A good move on the left saw Cieslewicz race into the penalty area, before he cut the ball back to Edwards. It left the number 23 with an easy finish, as he headed in on the goal line. 2-1.

And with seven minutes to go before the half-time interval, The Saints got themselves back on level terms. After Chris Marriott saw an initial effort blocked, the ball fell kindly at the feet of Greg Draper, leaving the New Zealand international with an easy finish into the roof of the net. 2-2.

Second-half

It was an exciting first-half with nothing to separate the two sides and the second began in the same fashion.

Just two minutes after the restart, Draper was celebrating again. A great cross from Byrne found last season’s golden boot winner on the edge of the six-yard-box, giving him another easy finish from close range for a brace. 2-3.

Scott Ruscoe’s side had found another gear in the second period, and that was evident by the amount of defensive pressure the home side found themselves under.

From a corner, Chris Marriott headed against the crossbar with 56 minutes played, before Draper tried an ambitious lob from distance, after spotting the keeper of his line.

And with 65 on the clock, the home rear-guard was breached once more, although there really wasn’t much they could’ve done about it.

The ball was headed clear to Byrne roughly 40 yards out from goal and the Irish striker sent a superb strike into the top corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance whatsoever. 2-4.

The Saints were enjoying themselves, and it wasn’t long until more great work from Edwards had them celebrating once again.

The Wales C man cleverly took the ball past a couple of home defenders, before expertly rounding the goalkeeper, leaving him with an easy finish into an open net to grab his brace. 2-5.

And the scoring wasn’t over there. Not to be outdone by his teammates, Byrne grabbed a brace of his own, when he got a toe to a long ball over the top, diverting it past Windsor and into the far corner. 2-6.