The New Saints make it 12 wins on the bounce at the Bridge Meadow Stadium

Match Report

https://twitter.com/tnsfc/status/1984612271809495319

Goals: D. Williams (27), J. Williams (30, 48)
Yellow cards: Wilson (80)
Substitutions: A. Wilson for Redmond (63), Marshall for Clark (71), Cieslewicz for Jefferies (71), Nadin for A. Wilson (77)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Jamie Edwards

The New Saints extended their winning run to 12 matches with a 3-2 victory over Haverfordwest County at the Bridge Meadow Stadium.

Craig Harrison’s side were in control for large spells and were clinical when it mattered most, with Dan Williams and Jordan Williams both on target for the Saints.

Despite a late fightback from the home side, the league leaders held their nerve to maintain their strong form in the JD Cymru Premier.

Although The New Saints saw most of the ball in the early stages, they had to wait patiently for the first chance of the afternoon.

Despite neither goalkeeper having a save to make, the game suddenly sprang into life in the 27th minute, as Craig Harrison’s side took the lead following a corner from the left.

An inviting delivery from Ryan Brobbel was headed out only as far as Dan Williams on the edge of the penalty area, and the former Swansea City man made no mistake, sweeping the ball home with his left foot at the first time of asking.

Just moments later, home midfielder Panashe Makwiramiti blocked an effort from Jordan Williams inside the six-yard box, but it wasn’t long before the JD Cymru Premier’s leading goalscorer got among the goals.

Racing onto a well-placed through ball from Danny Redmond, the number 17 showed great composure to slot beneath the goalkeeper and make it 2-0 in the 30th minute, and score his 13th goal of the season in the process.

The Saints took their two-goal advantage into the interval, and picked up where they left off just three minutes after the restart, adding a third goal of the afternoon.

After the home defence failed to deal with another Brobbel corner, Ben Clark sent an inviting cross back into the box, allowing Jordan Williams to head home his second of the day from close-range.

But despite their healthy advantage, it wasn’t all plain sailing for the league leaders in the closing stages, as Tony Pennock’s side pulled a goal back 10 minutes later to give themselves a lifeline.

Corey Shephard raced onto a flicked header from Owain Jones inside the area before sending an effort past Nathan Shepperd at the near post to make it 3-1.

Harrison’s side had chances to restore their three-goal cushion as the half wore on, with Brobbel going close from a couple of free-kicks just past the hour mark.

Then, with 77 minutes on the clock, Bluebirds goalkeeper Luc Rees pulled off a superb save at his near post to keep out a header from the Northern Ireland U21 international.

The hosts weren’t going down without a fight, though, and in the final minute of normal time they pulled another goal back.

Despite the best efforts of Jack Bodenham, an effort from Ben Ahmun went in off the near post to set up a nervy finish at the Bridge Meadow Stadium.

Harrison’s side, however, saw out the four minutes of stoppage time professionally to secure all three points on the road and record a 12th consecutive victory.

The New Saints are back in action this Tuesday (November 4), when they welcome Caernarfon Town to Park Hall for Nathaniel MG Cup quarter-final action. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:45pm.