Gwion Dafydd bags a JD Welsh Cup hat-trick, as The New Saints set up Trethomas Bluebirds clash

Goals: Dafydd (5, 13, 82), Holden (53, 72)
Substitutions: Hudson for Baker (73), Redmond for Marshall (73), J. Williams for Cieslewicz (73)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Brian Jones

The New Saints began their JD Welsh Cup defence with a 5-0 victory on the road at Ruthin Town.

Two Gwion Dafydd goals inside the opening 15 minutes set the tone of the match, and it was TNS in control of proceedings from that point onwards.

Rory Holden also scored a brace in the second-half, before Dafydd completed a first hat-trick for the club eight minutes from time.

As a result of their victory at the Memorial Playing Fields, Craig Harrison’s side will host Trethomas Bluebirds in the third round on Saturday, November 11th.

It took The New Saints just five minutes to make the breakthrough, and it was Gwion Dafydd who found the back of the net with a lobbed effort from the edge of the penalty area.

Less than a minute later, it could’ve been two for Craig Harrison’s side, but Ash Baker failed to get a clean connection inside the box following a superb Luke Brennan cross.

The holders did score their second goal in the 13th minute though, and it was Dafydd at the double, as the former Caernarfon man found the bottom corner after a defence-splitting pass.

Continuing to dominate the ball, Baker went close again with a header in the 29th minute, before a long-range Dan Williams effort almost crept in at the far post.

Former Cardiff City man, Baker, continued to look lively and in the 35th minute, a shot from inside the penalty area was tipped onto the post.

Down the other end, the home side had a rare opening of their own in the 38th minute, but Connor Roberts pulled off a good save to deny Ethan Davies.

The heavens opened moments after the restart, causing the game to become a lot more scrappy.

With 53 minutes on the clock, however, Rory Holden put his side in complete control, as he stroked home a TNS third from the edge of the six-yard box to round off a terrific passing move.

Five minutes later, Dafydd thought he’d completed his hat-trick after turning the ball home at the back post, but looked to his right to see the offside flag raised.

Following the same pattern of play as the first-half, it was TNS seeing all of the ball throughout the second period.

25 minutes from time, on-loan Wigan Athletic man, Brennan, tried his luck from the edge of the penalty area, but home goalkeeper, Daniel Goldston, was on hand to push it around the post.

Harrison’s side didn’t give up though, and a fourth goal arrived in minute 73.

Adrian Cieslewicz’s superb cross from the right was matched by an equally impressive header, and Rory Holden found the back of the net to score his second of the night.

Again like the first half, the occasional chance fell the way of the Town. In the 79th minute, Owain Morris went one-on-one with Roberts inside the penalty area, but the Wales C international pulled off a good save to preserve his clean sheet.

Eight minutes from time, Dafydd rounded off the scoring and wrapped up a 5-0 win for his side, as he finally completed his hat-trick.

Firing home from the centre of the box following a Jordan Williams cross, it was the young striker’s first treble for the senior team.

The Saints will host Trethomas Bluebirds in the third round as a result of tonight’s win, with that match scheduled to be played on Saturday, November 11th 2023.

Next up though, it’s a return to JD Cymru Premier action, as the league leaders travel to Barry Town United on Saturday.