Saints Return To JD Cymru Premier Summit With Hard-Fought Win At Bala

Match Report

Goals: Brobbel (7)
Yellow cards: Cieslewicz (14), Spender (86)
Substitutions: Smith for Clark (61), Mullan for Brobbel (74), Draper for Roscrow (83)

Match report by Sam Wood

The New Saints returned to the top of the JD Cymru Premier table this evening, following a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Bala Town at Maes Tegid.

Ryan Brobbel’s early goal was the difference-maker, as Anthony Limbrick tasted victory in his first match in charge, and his side took advantage of results elsewhere to return to the top of the JD Cymru Premier.

As has been the case in recent matches, The Saints got on the front foot early and found the opening goal with just seven minutes played.

After good work by Adrian Cieslewicz on the left flank, the Polish winger looked up and picked out Jon Routledge in space in the penalty area.

Although the home defence did well to block Routledge’s initial effort, they could do nothing to stop Ryan Brobbel’s rebound from finding the back of the net, as he smashed the ball past Ramsay from six yards out.

Following the opener, the Lakesiders came back at The Saints, and Ryan Pryce looked to play an inviting ball into the penalty area, only for it to hit a TNS man and roll through to Paul Harrison.

Down the other end, The Saints had chances to extend their lead further, as both Ben Clark and Ryan Brobbel went close to hitting the target.

And with just three minutes to go until the half-time whistle, Bala’s Alex Ramsay needed to be alert, as he pulled off a smart save to tip a Cieslewicz effort around the post.

After the restart, it was Paul Harrison who was busy, and the former Liverpool goalkeeper made a good save to stop Will Evans from finding the equaliser, after Sean Smith’s initial effort was blocked.

Limbrick’s side started to find more joy in front of goal in the second period though, and forced a number of good saves from Ramsay for their efforts.

First up was Jon Routledge, whose top corner bound strike was spectacularly tipped wide by the home goalkeeper, before the Bala shot-stopper pulled off a second save from Roscrow minutes later.

For all of their chances though, the visitors were given a scare in the 80th minute, when Antony Kay flashed a header narrowly wide of the far post.

The Bala number 15 did well to beat both Astles and Hudson in the air following a corner, but much to the disappointment of Colin Caton, couldn’t hit the target.

And again The Saints’ defence was tested in stoppage time, this time by JD Cymru Premier leading goalscorer, Chris Venables.

As with Kay earlier, his powerful effort from close range was also sent across the face of goal, as the hosts tried in vain to find the last-gasp equaliser.

Limbrick’s side held firm, and did well to grind out the well-earned three points which sent them back to the summit for the first time since March 9th.