The New Saints suffer a first league defeat at Cyncoed Campus

Match Report

Goals: Smith (7), Wilson (12)
Yellow cards: Craig Harrison (during half-time), Brobbel (69)
Substitutions: D. Davies for Clark (46), Dafydd for Smith (76), K. Davies for Hudson (90+6)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Lewis Mitchell/FAW

The New Saints fell to their first league defeat of the season, as Cardiff Metropolitan University came from behind to win 3-2 at Cyncoed Campus.

Leading 2-0 with just 12 minutes played, it’d been a superb start by Craig Harrison’s side, but the Archers reduced the deficit just before the break.

Following the restart, momentum remained with the home side, and they scored a further two goals to flip the game completely on its head and claim all three points come the final whistle.

The Saints took just seven minutes to break the deadlock in the capital, with the opening goal arriving courtesy of Leo Smith.

A superb pass from Adam Wilson picked out the number 21 down the left-hand side, and he fired a composed finish past goalkeeper, Alex Lang, after beating the defender with a great bit of skill.

Five minutes later, the league leaders were celebrating again, as this time, roles were reversed, and Smith squared the ball across the box for Wilson to convert at the back post.

Almost immediately, Ryan Brobbel could’ve given Met a mountain to climb, but the Northern Ireland under-21 international lifted an effort from the edge of the box narrowly over the crossbar.

The Archers almost pulled a goal back with 20 minutes gone, but after trying his luck from just outside the box, ex-TNS man, CJ Craven, watched Connor Roberts make a good save.

But nine minutes before the break, the home side did get themselves back into the match when Chris Baker tapped the ball home from just outside the six-yard box following a well-worked move.

Things were delicately poised in South Wales and the two sides went into the half-time break with just a single goal separating them.

Christian Edwards’ side picked up where they left off following the restart, and with 63 minutes on the clock, they hauled themselves back on level terms with the equaliser.

After some great work by Sam Jones down the left wing, the number 26 played an inviting ball across the middle of the box towards a teammate.

On his 200th JD Cymru Premier appearance for his side, Elliott Evans turned the ball home at the back post, giving The Saints had work to do once more.

Unfortunately, disaster struck for the champions four minutes later however, as Chris Baker pounced quickly on a loose ball and picked out the bottom left corner of the net from just outside the box.

Despite their continuous attempts at finding an equaliser of their own throughout the closing stages, the Students’ defence remained firm, and they held on for a massive three points.

The Saints return to Park Hall next weekend where they face Newtown in their latest JD Cymru Premier fixture.