The New Saints exit the Nathaniel MG Cup at the first hurdle

Match Report

Goals: Brobbel (78)
Yellow cards: McManus (80)

Substitutions: McManus for Daniels (55), Clark for Canavan (55)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Brian Jones

The New Saints exited the Nathaniel MG Cup at the first hurdle for the second consecutive season, losing 5-4 on penalties to Connah’s Quay Nomads.

Former TNS man, Mike Wilde, opened the scoring in the 34th minute, before Ryan Brobbel hit back 12 minutes from time to send the game to penalties.

Despite Connor Roberts pulling off three superb saves from the spot, The Saints’ luck was out once again, and it was Neil Gibson’s men who advanced at the Deeside Stadium.

The first chance of the match came in the ninth minute, when Jordan Williams got a shot away on the edge of the Connah’s Quay box.

The number 17’s effort was blocked though, and the defence scrambled the ball clear. 

A minute later, ex-TNS man, Aeron Edwards, sent a close-range header over the crossbar, as the home side looked for the go-ahead goal.

Nomads’ captain, George Horan, made a last-ditch block to deny Brobbel in the 13th minute, as the match continued in its end-to-end fashion. 

In the 27th minute, the JD Cymru Premier champions had the opportunity to open the scoring with an edge of the box free-kick, but Chris Marriott’s effort was high of the crossbar. 

Seven minutes later, the opening goal did arrive, and it was the hosts who scored it, courtesy of another ex-TNS man, Mike Wilde.

The Nomads’ number nine reacted quickest as the ball dropped inside the box and slotted the ball past Roberts and into the back of the net. 

Looking for a way back into the match, Jordan Williams sent a curling effort wide in the 37th minute, and Brobbel went close five minutes later.

Five minutes into the second-half, Chris Marriott sent an inviting ball into the Nomads’ penalty area from a wide free-kick, but once again, Neil Gibson’s side got the danger clear.

Williams had another effort on the turn in the 58th minute, but Firth, making his debut following his recent transfer, pulled off a good stop down low. 

Eleven minutes later, Brobbel almost grabbed an equaliser with an effort on the turn, but the ball dropped agonisingly wide of the ‘keeper’s near post. 

In the 78th minute though, Brobbel did eventually bring the scores level with a superb solo effort. 

After a great advantage played by the referee, the Northern Ireland under-21 international went on a mazy run, beating several defenders, before curling the ball into the far corner of the goal.

There was late drama as The Saints went in search of a winner, as George Horan came to his side’s rescue three minutes from time, hooking another effort from Brobbel off the line.

With the score still level at the end of the 90 minutes, it took penalties to decide the outcome at the Deeside Stadium. 

Despite Connor Roberts pulling off three superb saves from the spot, The Saints’ penalty hoodoo continued, and it was Connah’s Quay Nomads who progressed to the third round of the Nathaniel MG Cup.