The New Saints fall to a 1-0 defeat at Maes Tegid

Match Report

Yellow cards: McManus (36), Roberts (39) , Bodenham (45+1)
Substitutions: Brobbel for Daniels (63), Cieslewicz for Baker (79), Bradley for Bodenham (79), Wilson for J. Williams (85), Holden for Clark (85)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Brian Jones

The New Saints suffered a blow in their JD Cymru Premier title defence, as they were defeated 1-0 by Bala Town.

Despite the visitors having chances to equalise throughout the second-half, George Newell’s 39th minute penalty proved decisive at Maes Tegid, and The Saints slipped to a fifth league defeat of the season as a result.

It was Bala who had the first chance of the game with just three minutes on the clock, but after picking up the ball on the edge of the penalty area, Lassana Mendes failed to hit the target with his strike.

Seven minutes later, Craig Harrison’s side had their first opening, with an effort from Jordan Williams finding the side netting.

In the 20th minute, Bala goalkeeper, Joel Torrance, came to his side’s rescue, pulling off a double stop, first to deny Declan McManus, and then the follow-up effort from Jack Bodenham.

The JD Cymru Premier champions then went close again in the 33rd minute following an inviting corner delivery from Danny Redmond, but after rising highest inside the penalty area, McManus watched his headed effort come back out off the far post, before the ball was scrambled clear.

After surviving that scare, it was the home side who went on to break the deadlock from the penalty spot six minutes before the interval.

After Roberts brought down Osebi Abadaki inside the box, George Newell stepped up and made no mistake, firing home despite the Wales C international guessing correctly.

The visitors could’ve hit back in the 43rd minute from an edge of the box free-kick, but after stepping up to take it following a foul on Ben Clark, McManus watched his powerful strike cannon back off the crossbar.

Trailing 1-0 a the break, the JD Cymru Premier champions were left with work to do in the second-half, but they’ve could’ve been back on level terms just six minutes after the restart.

It was Ash Baker who controlled Redmond’s inviting cross at the back post, but the former Cardiff City man failed to hit the target with his effort.

There was another chance for The Saints to equalise in the 58th minute, but despite racing onto Redmond’s over-the-top ball, the Scotland U21 international lifted his effort wide of the target.

Introduced as a substitute in the 63rd minute, Ryan Brobbel almost made an instant impact, forcing Torrance into a save down low to his right, before the Lakesiders’ goalkeeper denied McManus at the back post a few moments on.

Jordan Williams and McManus both had further chances to hit back as the game wore on, but neither man could find a way to breach the resolute Bala defence.

With the referee’s whistle blowing to end the game at Maes Tegid, The Saints slipped to a 1-0 defeat – their fifth in the league this season – and advantage swung back the way of Penybont in the title race.

This coming Saturday (December 7th), The New Saints are back in action, hosting Newtown in their latest JD Cymru Premier fixture. Kick-off at Park Hall is scheduled for 2:30pm.