The New Saints come from behind to reach the quarter-finals of the JD Welsh Cup

Match Report

Goals: McManus (33), Oteh (46, 72), Cieslewicz  (61)
Substitutions: Marshall for Doforo (62), J. Williams for McManus (79), Clark for Smith (79), Brobbel for Wilson (79)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Sam Eaden/FAW

The New Saints came from behind to book their place in the quarter-finals of the JD Welsh Cup with a 4-1 victory against Colwyn Bay.

The sides went in level at the break after Declan McManus cancelled out Craig Lindfield’s opener, but Craig Harrison’s side stepped things up a gear in the second-half to secure the win.

An Adrian Cieslewicz goal just 14 seconds after the restart, plus an Aramide Oteh brace, helped the JD Cymru Premier champions complete the comeback. 

It was a quiet start to the match, with neither goalkeeper tested inside the opening 10 minutes.

With 11 minutes on the clock, however, visiting goalkeeper, Rhys Williams, was called into action for the first time, denying Jake Canavan from just outside the penalty area.

In the 18th minute, Craig Harrison’s side had another good chance to break the deadlock, but after connecting with Adrian Cieslewicz’s header on the edge of the six-yard box, Declan McManus failed to keep this effort on target.

Despite The Saints seeing all of the chances in the early stages, it was Mike Wilde’s side who took the lead seven minutes later.

Cai Owen’s free-kick into the penalty area fell kindly for Craig Lindfield, and the Seagulls man sent a volleyed effort in off the far post to break the deadlock.

The JD Cymru Premier champions weren’t behind for long though, as with 33 minutes played, the equalising goal arrived.

A cross from Adam Wilson was headed back across the box by Aramide Oteh, allowing Declan McManus an easy finish as he bundled the ball over the line.

Three minutes before the break, McManus could’ve had a second goal, but a superb point-blank save from Williams denied the Scotland under-21 international.

But just 14 seconds after the restart, The Saints did score their second of the game, and it was a goal from Aramide Oteh which gave them the lead for the first time on the night.

Getting on the end of Cieslewicz’s defence splitting pass, the number 15 showed great composure to slot the ball into the far corner after going one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

In the 62nd minute, the Polish winger got in on the act himself, as he made the score 3-1 in favour of his side after a surging run into the penalty area.

With his side in control of the game, shortly after the goal, Harrison had the opportunity to introduce Jordan Marshall from the substitutes bench.

Following a recent injury, it was the defender’s first appearance since October 15th, which was another boost for the TNS head coach with a busy run of fixtures over the next few weeks.

With 67 minutes on the clock, there was a chance for the visitors to reduce the deficit, but scorer of the first goal, Lindfield, failed to connect with Ethan Roberts’ cross towards the back post.

The Saints could’ve put the match to bed just moments later when McManus struck the crossbar with a free-kick, but it wasn’t long before the hosts did secure their quarter-final spot.

Getting on the end of McManus’ through ball, Oteh again went one-on-one with Williams, this time beating the Seagulls’ goalkeeper with a powerful finish at the near post in the 72nd minute.

The former Queens Park Rangers man almost bagged a hat-trick in the final minute of the match too as he poked the ball past Williams, but Lewis Sirrell got back well to make an important goal line clearance.

4-1 is how it ended at Park Hall, with The Saints becoming one of just two JD Cymru Premier sides to reach the quarter-finals of this season’s JD Welsh Cup.

The draw for the last eight takes place this coming Wednesday (December 18th) and will be broadcast live on RedWall+ at 8pm.

Next up for The Saints, however, is a trip to Slovenia, as they take on NK Celje in their final match in the league phase of the UEFA Conference League on Thursday.