The New Saints extend their JD Cymru Premier lead to 20 points after a hard-fought win in Bala

Match Report

Goals: Young (45)
Yellow cards: Redmond (20), McManus (88)
Substitutions: Cieslewicz for Brobbel (78), McManus for J. Williams (78), Hudson for Daniels (84)

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

The New Saints extended their lead at the top of the JD Cymru Premier to 20 points following a 1-0 win on the road at Bala Town.

Brad Young scored the only goal of the game on the stroke of half-time, but The Saints were made to work hard for all three points by a well-drilled Lakesiders team.

The win also extends TNS’ winning streak in all competitions to 21 matches, as Craig Harrison’s side continue their push for a record-breaking 16th league title. 

It was a quiet start to the game, with neither goalkeeper tested inside the early stages, but it was Bala who had the first chance of the night with 11 minutes gone.

Some excellent defending from Danny Davies cleared the danger, however, as the number 22 was in the right place at the right time to hook Paulo Mendes’ header off the line.

Six minutes later, it was the home side threatening again, and after a misjudged clearance inside the penalty area, the ball fell kindly for Naim Arsan.

The Bala man struck it first time, but his left-footed effort went out off the left post, much to the relief of the TNS defenders.

Craig Harrison’s men began to control possession as the half wore on, and had their first real opportunity to break the deadlock in the 33rd minute.

Brad Young cut the ball back for Rory Holden on the edge of the box, but Ross White got back well to clear his strike off the line.

The Saints continued to live dangerously, however, and Bala had another chance themselves two minutes later. It was Arsan again who tried to convert a chipped effort, but the ball landed on the roof of Connor Roberts’ net.

Against the run of play, though, the visitors broke the deadlock right on the stroke of half-time.

On the edge of the six-yard box, it was Brad Young who got enough of a touch on Jordan Williams’ cross from the left to divert the ball into the the far corner, giving his side the advantage at a key moment in the game.

Eight minutes into the second-half, the former Aston Villa man was causing problems again, as he forced home goalkeeper, Kelland Absalom, into a good save low down to his right.

Colin Caton’s side thought they’d equalised in the 57th minute, but Roberts preserved his clean sheet with a superb point-blank save to deny George Newell.

Young then had another opening to score a second in 65th minute, but after flashing a header across the face of goal, there was nobody at the back post in a green shirt to connect with the ball.

Down the other, it was Bala’s turn to fashion a chance. Ross White headed straight at Roberts following a free-kick from the right, before Young failed to test Absalom with a fierce strike from inside the ‘D’.

Harrison’s side could’ve wrapped up the points 13 minutes from time were it not for a superb save from the Lakesiders’ goalkeeper.

Absalom dived to his left and made a two-handed save at full stretch to push a powerful Holden effort behind for a corner.

In the 83rd minute, the hosts thought they’d scored a dramatic equaliser, as substitute, Joe Malkin, knocked the ball past Roberts following a searching forward ball.

Referee, Iwan Griffith, pulled play back for what he adjudged to be a foul on the TNS goalkeeper in the build-up, meaning the visitors survived the late scare. 

That was the final chance of an entertaining game, and The Saints did enough to leave Maes Tegid with all three points.

As a result, Harrison’s side extend their lead at the top of the table to 20 points, ahead of Connah’s Quay Nomads trip to Newtown tomorrow.

Next up, it’s a departure from league action, as TNS travel to Briton Ferry Llansawel in the quarter-finals of the JD Welsh Cup. That match takes place at the Old Road Welfare Ground next Friday (February 16th).