Brad Young-inspired Saints claim a 6-2 victory at Jenner Park

Match Report

Goals: Young (19, 73, 87), D. Davies (65), Daniels (83), Brobbel (86)
Yellow cards: Redmond (51)
Substitutes: Cieslewicz for J. Williams (59), Holden for Clark (59), D. Williams for Young (90+3), Baker for Redmond (90+3), Dafydd for Brobbel (90+3)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Lewis Mitchell

It was another good afternoon for The New Saints, as they ran out 6-2 winners on the road against Barry Town United.

Brad Young scored a hat-trick, with Danny Davies, Josh Daniels and Ryan Brobbel also on target at Jenner Park.

The win maintains The Saints’ three-point lead at the top of the JD Cymru Premier table, and also makes it 17 matches unbeaten in all competitions.

Craig Harrison’s side could’ve made the breakthrough with just two minutes on the clock, but home goalkeeper, Luc Rees, pulled off a good save to deny Ryan Brobbel.

With 15 minutes played, the Northern Ireland under-21 international was causing problems for the Barry defence once again, and on that occasion, watched an effort from 25 yards out cannon back off the post.

Soon after though, the league leaders did score the go-ahead goal after some fantastic work from Brad Young.

A great first touch saw the former Aston Villa man skip past three Barry Town United players on the halfway line and race in behind the defensive line.

Going one-on-one with the goalkeeper, it was a composed finish from Young to pick out the bottom corner and give his side a deserved lead.

The Saints continued to create chances, and 10 minutes later, Rees pulled off a superb one-handed stop to prevent Ben Clark from doubling his side’s advantage.

Five minutes before the break, the hosts worked a rare opening down the other end, but Connor Roberts denied Michael George with a comfortable save.

Harrison’s side picked up where they left off following the restart, and Danny Redmond had a chance to score TNS’ second in the 49th minute.

Cutting inside from the right, his effort was a tame one, however, and easy for the goalkeeper to deal with.

With 62 minutes on the clock, disaster struck for the visitors though when Ollie Hulbert headed home an equaliser from the centre of the box.

The Saints responded brilliantly though, and three minutes later they were back in front.

A left-sided Brobbel free-kick found the head of Danny Davies inside the box, and the number 22’s deft touch was enough to divert the ball past the goalkeeper.

From that point onwards, the champions started to run riot, with Young scoring a second of the afternoon from close-range in the 73rd minute.

Josh Daniels got in on the act 10 minutes later when he turned home Chris Marriott’s corner at the back post to make the score 4-1, before Ryan Brobbel added a fifth moments later.

With three minutes of the 90 remaining, Young completed his hat-trick with another smart finish, this time bending the ball around the goalkeeper and into the far corner.

In the third minute of stoppage time, Hulbert scored his second of the day, but it was simply a consolation and could do nothing to change the eventual outcome.

The 6-2 win means The New Saints are now unbeaten in their last 17 matches, and also maintain their three-point lead at the top of the JD Cymru Premier.

It’s Nathaniel MG Cup action next though, as Gresford Athletic visit Park Hall for quarter-final action on Tuesday.