Saints extend winning run after 2-0 victory over Bala Town

Match Report

https://twitter.com/tnsfc/status/1971631279683817747

Goals: Brobbel (2), Bodenham (48)
Substitutions: Clark for Corness (62), Charles for B. Wilson (62), Marshall for A. Wilson (76), Nadin for Brobbel (81)

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

The New Saints continued their recent rich vein of form with a 2-0 victory over fourth-placed Bala Town.

Taking the lead with less than two minutes on the clock through Ryan Brobbel, that proved to be the only goal of the opening half, but Jack Bodenham added the Saints’ second three minutes into the second.

The three points at Maes Tegid made it five consecutive league wins for the defending champions,  and also extended their lead at the top of the table to three points ahead of Caernarfon Town’s match against Cardiff Met on Sunday.

It was the perfect start from Craig Harrison’s side, as they took the lead with less than two minutes on the clock.

A cross from Ben Wilson reached Ryan Brobbel at the back post, and the number eight sent the ball past goalkeeper Joel Torrance with his head.

The Lakesiders almost hit back immediately just 60 seconds later, but Nathan Shepperd got down well to deny Hussein Mehasseb.

Stephen Fisher’s side had another chance to equalise with six minutes on the clock when Lassana Mendes got in down the right. His cross found Liam Higgins inside the penalty area, but the resulting header was high over the crossbar.

In the 24th minute, a strike from Danny Redmond fell kindly into the path of Ben Wilson, but after going one-on-one with the goalkeeper, the former Airdrieonians man failed to hit the target.

Continuing to push for a second, Danny Davies sent an effort into the side netting two minutes later, before a chipped effort from Wilson landed on the roof of the net.

Going into the half-time break with just the one goal lead, it could’ve been a tricky second for the JD Cymru Premier champions, but they found the net again just three minutes after the restart.

After Lassana Mendes failed to clear Brobbel’s cross from the right, the ball dropped fortuitously inside the six-yard box, allowing Jack Bodenham to poke past the goalkeeper from close-range.

With 57 minutes on the clock, Adam Wilson had an effort deflected behind for a corner, before the former Bradford City man was denied once more by Torrence 10 minutes later.

Nineteen minutes from time, Bala substitute Jacob Tarasenko almost pulled a goal back for his side from just outside the penalty area, but the Australian striker’s curling effort was narrowly wide of Shepperd’s far post.

Also introduced off the bench, Ben Clark had an opportunity to score his side’s third in the 88th minute, but Torrence pulled off a smart save low down to his right.

That proved to be that as far as the chances were concerned though, leaving the Saints to settle for just a two-goal margin of victory at Maes Tegid.

Craig Harrison’s side are back in action next Saturday (October 4th) when they welcome Barry Town United to Oswestry. Kick-off at Park Hall is scheduled for 2:30pm.