Changes to the starting XI
Connor Roberts continued between the sticks but, as far as the outfield was concerned, there was a 60% turnaround with half a dozen changes from the side that beat Falkirk FC on Saturday.
Due to the tightness of the schedule, this was inevitable, but the fluidity and consistency on the pitch remained the same.
The transition from what we saw on Saturday, and then again on Tuesday, is indicative of the quality that runs through the squad.
Take the inclusion of Dan Williams, for example. He’s been finding it difficult of late to make the cut but, given his chance against Newtown, he put in an excellent performance and was rewarded with the Henstone Distillery MOTM award.
An early goal
With Scott Ruscoe returning to Welsh football as the Newtown manager, The New Saints having been in Scotland until Sunday morning and the fact that the Robins inevitably raise their game in the fixtures between us, there was always going to be talk of a potential upset.
However, an early goal from Ben Clark was the perfect start for the JD Cymru Premier leaders.
In the seventh minute, Clark was first to the ball in the penalty area, beating Andy Wycherley to put The New Saints ahead.
A double for McManus
When The New Saints were awarded a penalty at the one-third stage of the game, up stepped Declan McManus to beat the ‘keeper and double TNS’ advantage.
One-third later, in the 60th minute, it was game, set and match as the striker beat Wycherley to the ball, rounded the goalkeeper and slotted home.
Although he will have felt that he could have got a hat-trick on the night, ultimately that won’t be an issue for McManus. He’s a team player and his focus will be on the big picture of another victory for the side.
A brace of Redmond assists
Naturally, in any game, the talk is always about the goalscorers but, with two assists on the night, Danny Redmond again makes the cut as far as talking points are concerned.
His first, which set up Ben Clark, saw him cut in from the right and play the ball to the midfielder in the penalty area.
A superb, inch-perfect pass, in the second period found Declan McManus as he signed, sealed and delivered the victory.
It’s always a tough one for the management team each week, as they have to decide who to leave out as much as who to include. However, you can see why Redmond is invariably in the XI.
Guinness World Records
Although there was initial hesitation – due to the East Fife penalties win – confirmation was received from Guinness World Records that indeed the game did count as a victory.
Therefore, the 3-0 win against Newtown means that The New Saints has now equalled the 2016 record-breaking run of twenty-seven wins on the bounce, which at the time beat Ajax’s previous record from the early seventies.
The game against Bala Town this Friday (February 9) is an opportunity to extend the figure and no doubt will attract lots of media attention in the meantime.
Lead image: Brian Jones.
