Saints in seventh heaven, as they defeat Caernarfon Town at Park Hall

Match Report

Goals: McManus (7, 59 [p]), Clark (13), Cieslewicz (16, 47), Redmond (22), Hudson (90+1)
Substitutions: J. Williams for Daniels (35), A. Clark for Marshall (60), Jones for McManus (60), Harlock for Redmond (60), Smith for Baker (67)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Brian Jones

The New Saints recorded a 23rd consecutive JD Cymru Premier victory after defeating Caernarfon Town 7-1 at Park Hall Stadium.

It was a game that Craig Harrison’s side controlled from start to finish, with five different players getting their names on the scoresheet, but the visitors did grab a consolation goal through Louis Lloyd.

The victory increases The Saints’ lead at the top of the table to 28 points, with just three games remaining before the end of the league season.

It was a good start from The New Saints, and it took them just seven minutes to break the deadlock at Park Hall.

Following a scramble inside the six-yard box after an inviting corner delivery by Chris Marriott, Declan McManus was on hand to stab home the loose ball, scoring The Saints’ 100th league goal of the season in the process.

With 13 minutes on the clock, Craig Harrison’s side were celebrating again thanks to a superb finish from Ben Clark.

The Academy graduate controlled Josh Daniels’ cross brilliantly with his chest, before taking a touch and leaving the goalkeeper rooted to the spot with a finish at the near post.

The Saints were really enjoying themselves at that point, and just three minutes later, they found the back of the net again.

It was Adrian Cieslewicz who fired past Josh Tibbetts at the back post after racing onto the end of Ash Baker’s driven ball across the box.

In the 22nd minute, the JD Cymru Premier champions then added a fourth goal, as Danny Redmond curled the ball into the far corner from just inside the penalty area to put his side in an even stronger position.

Harrison’s side dominated proceedings throughout the opening period, and could’ve taken an even stronger advantage into the half-time interval.

Dan Williams, McManus and Baker all had good opportunities to find the back of the net, but Tibbetts, making his first start since returning the club earlier this week, pulled off a number of smart saves.

It took The Saints just two minutes to get going again following the restart though, as Cieslewicz scored his second goal of the night in the 47th minute.

The Polish winger connected with Blaine Hudson’s header back across the box at the back post, sending a cushioned header of his own past Tibbetts and into the back of the net.

Harrison’s side continued to control the game, and in the 59th minute, they were given another opportunity to increase their advantage when they awarded a penalty for a foul on Jordan Marshall.

McManus stepped up to take the spot kick, smashing the ball past the goalkeeper and into the roof of the net to make the score 6-0 to TNS.

The visitors struggled to create chances throughout the match, but in the 72nd minute, they did manage a consolation goal, as Louis Lloyd slid the ball beneath the outrushing Connor Roberts after a good piece of skill on the edge of the penalty area.

With time running out, there was still time for more goals, as Blaine Hudson got his name on the scoresheet in the first minute of second-half stoppage time.

The number 12 connected with Cieslewicz’s corner in the edge of the six-yard box, before sending a powerful header into the back of the net to wrap up a 7-1 victory for his side.

With their win, The New Saints made it 23 consecutive victories in the JD Cymru Premier, and also increased their lead at the top of the table to 28 points.

As we approach the end of the season, there’s more league action on the way at Park Hall this coming Tuesday (April 9), as Craig Harrison’s side welcome Bala Town for a 7:45pm kick-off.