The New Saints suffer JD Welsh Cup elimination after 2–1 defeat at Cardiff Met

Match Report

https://twitter.com/tnsfc/status/1991940537075847608?s=20

Goals: Bodenham (28)
Yellow cards: Corness (12), Brobbel (52), Shepperd (58), Davies (67), Cieslewicz (73), D. Williams (90+3)
Substitutions: Cieslewicz for Nadin (63), Daniels for Clark (79)

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

The New Saints were eliminated from the JD Welsh Cup following a 2–1 defeat against Cardiff Met.

Despite leading for a large portion of the match thanks to Jack Bodenham’s first-half strike, the holders were ultimately undone by late goals from Jasper Payne and Matthew Chubb.

It’s the Saints’ earliest Welsh Cup exit since the 2007/08 season, when they were beaten on penalties in the second round by Connah’s Quay Nomads.

The New Saints had a great chance to make the breakthrough with 16 minutes on the clock following an inviting cross from Jordan Marshall.

The former Dundee man picked out Jack Nadin inside the penalty area, and the number 24 saw his header deflect onto the post before home goalkeeper Samuel Seager pounced on the loose ball.

There was another chance for the holders in the 24th minute, as the home side failed to clear their lines after a corner on the right. The ball fell kindly to Jack Bodenham, but the defender sent a powerful strike over the crossbar from just inside the penalty area.

Just four minutes later, however, the opening goal of the night did arrive, and it was the TNS number six celebrating. Finding space inside the six-yard box, Bodenham volleyed home after a good free-kick delivery from Dominic Corness, despite pressure from the home defence.

With the Saints going into the break with a one-goal advantage, Cardiff Met came out for the second period with a renewed sense of urgency and had a couple of openings in the early stages of the half.

In the 55th minute, Jasper Payne saw a header deflected behind at the near post before Dixon Kabongo sent an effort over from just outside the penalty area seconds later.

Craig Harrison’s side dealt with the Archers’ resurgence well, though, and it wasn’t long before they re-established a foothold at Cyncoed Stadium.

With 67 minutes played, the visitors had appeals for a penalty turned down when Danny Davies appeared to be brought down by Seager inside the box. Referee Jordan Harman wasn’t convinced, however, and showed the TNS man a yellow card for what he believed to be simulation.

As the Saints pushed for a second goal to kill off the game, substitute Adrian Cieslewicz called Seager into action in the 77th minute, but the effort was a tame one at the first time of asking and caused little trouble for the Met goalkeeper.

But disaster struck for the visitors four minutes from time. After some good link-up play on the edge of the penalty area, Payne went one-on-one with Nathan Shepperd before sending a composed finish beneath the goalkeeper to level proceedings.

Things then went from bad to worse in the first of four stoppage-time minutes, as Ryan Jenkins’ side scored what would prove to be the winning goal.

A corner from the left was headed out only as far as Barnaby Soady, with the defender sending an inviting cross back into the crowded penalty area.

Matthew Chubb rose highest to glance the ball past Shepperd and condemn the visitors to a heartbreaking defeat at Cyncoed.

It proved to be a disappointing end to the Saints’ treble defence and marks the first time they have failed to reach the final of the competition since 2018.

It’s back to JD Cymru Premier action for the Saints next weekend, as they welcome Caernarfon Town to Park Hall in front of the S4C cameras.

Kick-off is scheduled for 7:45pm on Friday, November 28th.