The New Saints come from two goals down to reach the 2024 JD Welsh Cup final

Match Report

Goals: McManus (44 [p], 55, 57) Young (64 [p], 88), Cieslewicz (90+1)
Substitutions: D. Williams for Holden (82), Cieslewicz for Clark (85)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: John Smith/FAW

The New Saints came from two goals down to book their place in the final of the JD Welsh Cup for a third consecutive season, courtesy of a 6-2 victory against Cardiff Met University.

Two first-half Thomas Vincent goals put the Archers in the driving seat, before a sensational Declan McManus hat-trick, and a Brad Young brace flipped the match on its head.

Adrian Cieslewicz also scored in stoppage time to help Craig Harrison’s side book their place in April’s final, where they’ll face Connah’s Quay Nomads at Newport County’s Rodney Parade.

Despite The New Saints dominating the possession in the early stages, it could’ve been Cardiff Met who scored the game’s first goal inside the opening minute.

After spotting Connor Roberts off his line, Elliot Evans tried his luck with a chipped effort from the halfway mark, but much to the relief of the TNS goalkeeper, the ball fell narrowly wide of the far post.

Eight minutes later, the Archers had another opportunity to break the deadlock, with Dixon Kabongo firing wide from the edge of the box, before Declan McManus sent an effort over the crossbar down the other end. 

Leo Smith was the next man to go close with 22 minutes on the clock, but after creating space for a shot on the edge of the penalty area, the Wales C international failed to hit the target.

Just two minutes later though, disaster struck for Craig Harrison’s side, as Cardiff Met scored the game’s go-ahead goal.

It was Thomas Vincent who broke the deadlock, as he connected with Eliot Evans’ cross at the back post, before powering a header past Roberts and into the bottom corner.

The Saints continued to dominate possession following the opener, but they found it difficult to test Alex Lang in the Cardiff Met goal.

In the 37th minute, their task became even harder too, as Vincent scored his second of the afternoon.

The JD Cymru Premier champions failed to deal with the loose ball on the edge of the penalty area, and it fell kindly for the Students’ number 29 to control with his chest, before volleying into the back of the net.

As the half drew to a close, Cardiff Met began to defend deeper and deeper, and just a minute before the interval, TNS got the reward for all of their pressure following the award of a penalty.

After Jordan Williams was fouled on the edge of the six-yard box, last season’s JD Cymru Premier Player of the Season, McManus, stepped up and dispatched the spot kick expertly, reducing the deficit going into the half-time interval.

The Saints picked up where they left off following the restart and continued to dominate possession, but again, it was Cardiff Met who had the first chance of the half.

Connor Roberts came to his side’s rescue, however, as he pulled off a sensational save at point-blank range in the 52nd minute to prevent the Archers from restoring their two-goal advantage.

It proved to be a turning point in the game too, as just three minutes later, Craig Harrison’s side got themselves back on level terms, as McManus volleyed home his second of the game from the edge of the six-yard box.

Sensationally, the match was flipped completely on its head in the 57th minute, as McManus got on the end of Williams’ intelligent pull back to grab not only his second goal in as many minutes, but also secure the match ball.

In the 63rd minute, Harrison’s side were given the opportunity to put more daylight between themselves and their opponents, when they were awarded a second penalty of the game after a foul on Brad Young by Joe Evans.

It was the former Aston Villa man who stepped up to take it, and he kept his composure to beat Lang with a well-placed finish into the corner to make the score 4-2 in favour of The New Saints.

Rory Holden could’ve increased his side’s lead further in the 74th minute, but watched an effort flash across the face of goal, before Lang pulled off a superb save down to his right to deny McManus a fourth goal of the night.

There was still time for the holders to add more goals to their tally though, and in the 88th minute, Young also scored a second of the game.

The number 23 raced onto the end of Josh Daniels’ searching forward pass, before taking the ball into his stride, and slotting beneath the goalkeeper.

In the first of five added minutes, substitute, Adrian Cieslewicz, put further gloss on the scoreline for his side, as he tapped home at the back post after Dan Williams’ initial effort was spilled by Lang.

Despite a scare in the opening period, The New Saints ran out 6-2 winners at Latham Park, and booked their place in the final of JD Welsh Cup final for a third consecutive season.

Harrison’s side will now battle it out with Connah’s Quay Nomads on Sunday, April 28th, with this year’s final taking place at Newport County’s Rodney Parade.

It’s back to Park Hall for the JD Cymru Premier champions next weekend, as they host Caernarfon Town on Friday, April 5th. Kick-off in that match is scheduled for 7:45pm.