Saints secure 3-1 victory over Cardiff Met to move level with league leaders

Match Report

https://twitter.com/tnsfc/status/1969098110631624926

Goals: Davies (14), B. Wilson (29), Holden (45+5)
Yellow cards: Redmond (20)
Substitutions: Clark for Redmond (60), Nadin for Brobbel (70), A. Wilson for Holden (70), Owen for Davies (70), Charles for B. Wilson (88)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Geraint Nicholas/FAW

The New Saints moved level on points with league leaders Caernarfon Town following a 3-1 victory against Cardiff Met University.

It proved to be a comfortable night for Craig Harrison’s side in the capital, with Danny Davies, Ben Wilson and Rory Holden all on target in the first-half.

Despite chances to increase the advantage in the second-half, there were no further goals at Cyncoed Campus, but the Saints picked up their fourth consecutive JD Cymru Premier victory.

After a quiet start to the game, the opening goal eventually arrived with 14 minutes on the clock, and it was The New Saints who made the breakthrough.

Connecting with Dominic Corness’ corner inside the six-yard box, Danny Davies bundled the ball past Cardiff Met goalkeeper Kelland Absalom with his thigh to get his side off to the perfect start in the capital.

The Saints’ lead lasted less than two minutes, however, as former TNS man Adam Roscrow raced onto Fumpa Mwandwe’s forward pass, before slotting the ball past Nathan Shepperd.

Undeterred by the setback, Craig Harrison’s side continued to push forward, and Ryan Brobbel went close to restoring his side’s advantage with a chipped effort from the edge of the penalty area with 26 minutes played.

Three minutes later though, the defending champions were celebrating again, as summer signing Ben Wilson volleyed home from the centre of the box to make the score 2-1 in his favour of his side.

In the 43rd minute, the visitors thought they should’ve been awarded a penalty when Elliot Evans appeared to pull the shirt of Davies on the edge of the six-yard box. Referee Ryan Kenny was in a good position, however, and saw nothing wrong with the challenge.

But in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time, the Saints did further increase their advantage on the night, as Rory Holden got a deft touch to Brobbel’s cross from the left to divert the ball past the goalkeeper.

The second-half was much less eventful than the first, but there were still opportunities for both sides to add further goals.

With 65 minutes on the clock, Ryan Reynolds could’ve brought his side back into the game after the ball fell kindly into his path inside the penalty area.

Controlling the ball with a good first touch, the Archers’ number six failed to hit the target, however, with just the ‘keeper to beat.

Announced earlier in the day as the Saints’ newest recruit, Adam Wilson was introduced off the bench for his third TNS debut and went close to making an instant impact.

After a superb run and cross from the Kenyan international, Archers’ defender Samuel Richards breathed a huge sigh of relief 13 minutes from time as he almost inadvertently turned a clearance past his own goalkeeper.

Despite the chances, there were no more goals in the second-half at Cyncoed Campus, and the match ended 3-1 in favour of The New Saints.

With Caernarfon Town not in action until tomorrow evening, the win moves the Saints level on points with the Canaries, although it’s they who are narrowly ahead on goals scored. 

Harrison’s side are back in league action this coming Tuesday (September 23rd), taking on Flint Town United at Park Hall Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:45pm.