The New Saints reach the Nathaniel MG Cup quarter-finals following a hard-fought win against Airbus UK Broughton

Match Report

Goals: Cieslewicz (45+1)
Yellow cards: Roberts (90+3)
Red cards: Blayney (84)
Substitutions: Smith for D. Williams (46), Daniels for Bradley (64), Oteh for Cieslewicz (64), J. Williams for Windle (74)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Luke Reynolds

It was far from a comfortable evening, but The New Saints did just enough to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Nathaniel MG Cup.

A first-half stoppage time goal from Adrian Cieslewicz proved to be the difference on the night, as Craig Harrison’s side defeated Airbus UK Broughton 1-0 at The Hollingsworth Group Stadium.

The Saints made a bright start and it was they who were controlling possession in the early stages of the game.

With six minutes gone, Ben Clark had the first chance of the match as he fired over from the edge of the six-yard box, before Sion Bradley had an effort blocked inside the penalty area four minutes later.

Down the other end, the ball almost fell kindly for Airbus’ Daniel Warren inside the TNS penalty area, but following a series of deflections, a corner was the result.

With 28 minutes played, home goalkeeper, Mitchell Jones, came to his side’s rescue, as he pulled off a superb one-handed save to prevent Clark from finding the bottom corner.

Moments later, the Wingmakers’ number 13 was called into action again, and on that occasion, stopped Adrian Cieslewicz from breaking the deadlock.

On the stroke of half-time, Dan Williams could’ve given his side the lead when he went one-on-one with Jones, but the former Swansea City man dragged his effort wide of the target.

In the first minute of first-first-half stoppage time though, the opening goal did finally arrive, and it was Cieslewicz who scored it.

After a powerful strike from Bradley crept beneath the goalkeeper and rolled across the face of goal, the Polish winger, who was captain for the night, slid in at the back post to give his side the lead.

Following the restart, Blaine Hudson went close to a TNS second with a header in the 53rd minute, before Bradley fired wide from the right of the penalty area just before the hour mark.

With The Saints’ place in the quarter-final far from secured, Craig Harrison turned to his bench in the 63rd minute and handed recent signing, Aramide Oteh, his debut to add more of an attacking threat.

Two minutes later though, it was almost the JD Cymru North leaders celebrating, as George Peers went close to finding the back of the net from the edge of the penalty area.

Just like that, however, the Wingmakers were rescued to 10 men, and it was Peers who was shown his marching orders and a second yellow card following a challenge on Blaine Hudson.

With six minutes to go, The Saints were also on the receiving end of a red card decision, as Oli Blayney, making his full TNS debut, was also dismissed for crucially denying Sam Baker a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Despite throwing everything at the game in the closing 10 minutes, Airbus were unable to find a way through the resolute TNS defence, and Harrison’s side held on for a handy 1-0 victory to book their place in the last eight of the Nathaniel MG Cup.

Details for the quarter-final draw will be confirmed in due course, while The Saints are back in action this coming Friday (September 20), as they travel to JD Cymru Premier leaders Penybont.