The New Saints Move Four Points Clear With a 4-1 Victory Against Barry Town United At Jenner Park

Match Report

Goals: Edwards (4), Brobbel [p] (12), Ebbe (71), Mullan (86)
Yellow cards: Davies (9), Cieslewicz (21), Routledge (84), Harrington (89)
Substitutions: Mullan for Cieslewicz (64), Byrne for Ebbe (81), Draper for Edwards (83)

Match report by Sam Wood

The New Saints moved four points clear at the top of the JD Cymru Premier with a superb 4-1 victory against Barry Town United at Jenner Park.

Aeron Edwards, Ryan Brobbel, Dean Ebbe and Jamie Mullan all found the back of the net, as the champions took another big step in their bid to retain the title for a ninth consecutive season.

First-half

Things couldn’t have started better for Scott Ruscoe’s side, who found themselves ahead with just four minutes played. It was a great ball from Ryan Brobbel which started things off, as the TNS number eight split the home defence with a brilliant pass. 

Aeron Edwards ran through, collecting the ball on the other side, before squeezing a finish past George Ratcliffe at his near post to make the score 1-0. 

However, the joy was short lived, as Barry were level four minutes later. Keyon Reffell showed great vision, as he set Jonathan Hood away down the right and the host’s number 16 went racing through on goal.

Hood worked a great angle for himself and unleashed a fierce shot towards goal, and although his effort beat Paul Harrison, it needed a touch from Kayne McLaggon to help it over the line. 1-1.

Down the other end, there was instantly more drama, as Ryan Harrington went down under challenge inside the penalty area. Referee, Bryn Markham-Jones, pointed straight to the spot, giving TNS the chance to retake the lead.

The responsibility fell to Ryan Brobbel, who stepped up and dispatched the penalty expertly, as he sent George Ratcliffe the wrong way. 2-1.

The Saints continued to threaten the home goal and struck the crossbar twice, through Edwards and Brobbel, although the former’s effort was offside.

Second-half

It was the hosts who started the second period on the front foot, and had a number of chances to find another equaliser. With 51 minutes gone, Hood reacted quickly following a throw-in, but could only send his shot into the side netting, causing no trouble for Paul Harrison.

McLaggon had another chance to work Harrison on the hour mark, after Blaine Hudson’s clearance had fallen at his feet, but the number seven’s strike was well wide of the goal.

And Gavin Chesterfield’s side were made to pay for their missed chances 10 minutes later, when Dean Ebbe extended his side’s lead. From a corner on the near side, the Irish striker climbed higher than anyone inside the penalty area, and placed an easy header into the back of the net. 3-1.

Barry continued to cause problems though and could’ve got back into the match in the 80th minute. It was a good run from McLaggon as he got in behind Keston Davies, but the striker could do nothing with the ball, and it went behind for a goal kick.

But the points were sealed four minutes from time, after a brilliant strike from Jamie Mullan. The number 14 took Greg Draper’s knock-down into his stride, before carrying the ball forward.

25 yards from goal, there was only one thought in the midfielder’s mind, as he picked out the top corner sensationally and put the game beyond doubt.

It was superb win for The New Saints against tough opposition, and results elsewhere mean a little bit of daylight has opened up at the top of the JD  Cymru Premier.