The New Saints defeat Barry Town United to reach the Nathaniel MG Cup final

Match Report

Goals: McManus (22, 35)
Yellow cards: Craig Harrison (85), Smith (90+4)
Substitutions: J. Williams for McManus (72), D. Davies for Cieslewicz (79), Clark for Holden (79), Redmond for Canavan (79)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: John Smith/FAW

The New Saints booked their place in the final of the Nathaniel MG Cup for a second successive season following a 2-1 victory against Barry Town United.

Despite two Declan McManus strikes leaving The Saints in a comfortable position at the break, Kayne McLaggon pulled a goal back 10 minutes into the second-half to get his side back into the game.

There were some nervy moments throughout the second 45, but The Saints defended well in the closing stages to set-up a meeting with Aberystwyth Town in next year’s final.

With seven minutes on the clock, it was The New Saints who had the first chance of the night, as the ball dropped kindly to Leo Smith just outside the penalty area.

Trying his luck with a first-time finish, the Wales C international’s shot caused no trouble for Luc Rees in the Barry goal, comfortably clearing the crossbar.

In the 17th minute, Michael George came to his side’s rescue after more TNS pressure, as he headed an effort from Blaine Hudson off the line.

Just a minute later, there was another goal line clearance by the hosts, with Evan Press the man to deny Cieslewicz.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 22nd minute, however, and it was Declan McManus who scored the first goal of the game.

After an initial effort from Smith struck the crossbar, and a follow-up strike by Wilson was saved by the goalkeeper, the Scottish striker volleyed home from the edge of the six-yard box to give his side a deserved lead on the night.

With 35 minutes on the clock, Craig Harrison’s side doubled their advantage, and it was McManus who helped himself to a second goal.

After a mazy run into the penalty area from Wilson, the on-loan Bradford City man picked out the number nine inside the six-yard box, and he made no mistake in sweeping the ball past the goalkeeper.

The home side could’ve hit back just a couple of minutes later, but Connor Roberts pulled off a superb save to deny Josh Yorwerth’s header.

As a result, The Saints were two goals to the good going into the half-time break – a fairly comfortable position aead of the second 45.

It took a while for the game to get going again following the restart, but in the 55th minute, Steve Jenkins’ side did manage to reduce the deficit courtesy of Kayne McLaggon.

After a defence splitting ball from Robbie Willmott, the Linnets’ number seven rounded Roberts, before rolling the ball calmly into the empty net.

With 67 minutes on the clock, it was almost disaster for The Saints, as Barry came agonisingly close to an equaliser.

Getting on the end of George’s searching ball, substitute, Ieuan Owen, struck the post after poking past Roberts, before Josh Pask got back brilliantly to clear a the striker’s follow-up effort off the line.

As the half wore on, Craig Harrison made a number of substitutes, with Jordan Williams, Danny Davies, Ben Clark and Danny Redmond all introduced.

In the 86th minute, one of those substitutes, Williams, fired wide from just inside the penalty area, as The Saints looked to put the match to bed.

With the fourth official showing an additional five minutes at the end of the game though, and Barry throwing everyone forward to find an equaliser, there was some backs to the wall defending in the closing stages, but The Saints held on well to book their place in the final.

The Nathaniel MG Cup final will be contested between Aberystwyth Town and The New Saints, and will take place at Newtown’s Latham Park on Friday, February 28th, 2025.