The New Saints battle back from behind to claim all three points against Haverfordwest County

Match Report

Goals: Pask (36), Baker (52)
Yellow cards: Pask (24), D. Williams (53)
Substitutions: Canavan for Brobbel (69), Oteh for McManus (69), Cieslewicz for Baker (71)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: F28.Online

The New Saints came from behind to claim all three points against Haverfordwest County at Park Hall.

After Ben Fawcett had given the visitors the lead with a goal in the 18th minute, Josh Pask volleyed home an equaliser nine minutes before the break.

Following the restart, Ash Baker headed home his fifth goal in four games games to secure a 2-1 victory for the defending champions.

It was a bright start by The New Saints, and they almost broke the deadlock with just five minutes on the clock.

After cutting inside from the right, Jordan Williams unleashed a powerful strike towards goal, but Zac Jones dived to the right to turn the ball behind.

From the resulting corner, Josh Daniels headed wide at the back post, as The Saints looked to take an early grip on the game.

Four minutes later, the JD Cymru Premier champions went close again, with Declan McManus striking the side netting after connecting with Danny Redmond’s cross.

In the 18th minute, however, it was the visitors who broke the deadlock against the run of play.

Corey Shephard’s cross from the right reached Ben Fawcett on the edge of the six-yard box, and the Bluebirds’ number nine fired home at the first time of asking.

Fawcett could’ve had a second less than two minutes later, but Connor Roberts pulled off a superb one-handed save to deny the visiting striker.

In the 36th minute though, Craig Harrison’s side hit back from a free-kick on the left.

A good cross from Ryan Brobbel found Josh Pask in space inside the penalty area, and the former Coventry City man volleyed home from inside the six-yard box.

The Saints picked up where they left off following the restart, and with 52 minutes on the clock, they got their noses in front for the first time.

Josh Daniels’ cross from the right found the head of Ash Baker on the edge of the six-yard box, and the number 24 powered home his fifth goal in four games.

Down the other end, Greg Walters had a chance to equalise for the visitors in the 62nd minute, but his volley from the edge of the box was comfortably over the crossbar.

In the 77th minute, Danny Davies needed to be alert, as he tracked back well to challenge Ben  Ahmun inside the penalty area, preventing Haverfordwest from scoring what looked like a certain goal.

Six minutes from time, The Saints could’ve put the match to bed, but despite connecting with Daniels’ inviting cross into the penalty area, substitute, Jake Canavan, failed to beat Zac Jones.

In the third minute of stoppage time, the visitors almost snatched a last-gasp equaliser following a long throw from Kyle Kenniford, but Roberts came to his side’s rescue again, leaping to his left to prevent Ahmun’s header from nestling into the far corner.

That was that final piece of action, with the save preserving TNS’ slender advantage in the game, ensuring all three points would be going the way of the JD Cymru Premier champions as a result.

It continues to be very tight at the top of the table, with The Saints now just four points behind leaders, Penybont, with two games in hand.

Next up though, it’s a departure from league action for Harrison’s side, as they play their Nathaniel MG Cup quarter-final tie against Bala Town this coming Wednesday (November 13th). Kick-off at Park Hall is scheduled for 7:45pm.