The New Saints defeat Connah’s Quay Nomads 2-1 to make it three wins from three

Match Report

Goals: Brobbel (27), J. Williams (36)
Yellow cards: Holden (32), J. Williams (45+3)
Substitutions: Marshall for Holden (62), Cieslewicz for Wilson (76), Oteh for J. Williams (76), McManus for Clark (87)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Brian Jones

The New Saints defeated Connah’s Quay Nomads 2-1 at Park Hall to move top of the JD Cymru Premier table for the first time this season.

Ryan Brobbel opened the scoring for The Saints with 27 minutes on the clock, but the visitors hit back just four minutes later through Noah Edwards.

Jordan Williams then took advantage of a goalkeeping mistake to restore his side’s advantage eight minutes before the break, and the defending champions saw out the game to secure an important three points.

It took a while for things to get going at Park Hall, but it was The New Saints who had the first chance of the afternoon with 10 minutes on the clock.

Receiving the ball from Dan Williams just inside the penalty area, Rory Holden tried his luck with a first-time finish, but George Ratcliffe pulled off a superb one-handed save down to his left to deny the TNS number 18.

Just a minute later, Craig Harrison’s side were in again, but after going one-on-one with the goalkeeper, Jordan Williams dragged his effort wide of the far post.

It was a much quieter opening half than in both of their previous matches, but the defending champions did eventually make the breakthrough in the 28th minute.

Drifting inside from the left with the ball at his feet, Ryan Brobbel sold Ben Nash with a deft piece of skill, before slotting the ball past Ratcliffe and into the far corner of the net.

The TNS lead lasted all of four minutes, however, as Noah Edwards volleyed home an equaliser from the centre of the box following a corner on the left.

With 36 minutes on the clock though, The Saints restored their lead following a mistake from Nomads’ keeper, Ratcliffe.

It was a gift for Jordan Williams, as his long-range effort slipped through the legs of the former Cardiff City man, giving the home side a 2-1 lead.

Things then went from bad to worse for visitors in the second of three additional first-half minutes, as Jack Kenny was shown a straight red card following an altercation with Jordan Williams, leaving them a man light for the remainder of the match.

Ten minutes after the restart, there was a great chance for Adam Wilson to increase his side’s advantage, but after receiving the ball from Jordan Williams following a defensive mistake, the on-loan Bradford City man dragged his effort wide of the post.

With 62 minutes on the clock, Brobbel went close to a second with a free-kick from the edge of the box, before Ratcliffe made another important save five minutes later to tip a powerful Danny Davies strike over for a corner.

Fifteen minutes from time, Jordan Williams sent a curling effort wide from just outside the area, but it caused little trouble for the goalkeeper.

With conditions worsening as the second-half wore on, chances were much more sparse than in the first, but The Saints saw out the remainder of the game professionally to move top of the JD Cymru Premier for the first time this season.

Craig Harrison’s side are back in action this coming Saturday (January 4), when they take on Newtown in their rearranged matchday 19 fixture. Kick-off at Park Hall is scheduled for 2:30pm.