The New Saints fall to a 3-1 defeat against Briton Ferry Llansawel

Match Report

Goals: Oteh (43)
Yellow cards: Oteh (52), D. Davies (75)
Red cards: Canavan (81)
Substitutions: Baker for Daniels (46), J. Williams for Bradley (46), Redmond for Bodenham (73), Wilson for Holden (78)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Lewis Mitchell/FAW

The New Saints fell to their first domestic defeat in 10 games, as they were beaten 3-1 on the road by Briton Ferry Llansawel.

The home side raced into a 3-0 lead with just 38 minutes on the clock, but despite Aramide Oteh pulling a goal back just before the break, Craig Harrison’s side were unable to get anything out of the game.

It took six minutes for the game’s first chance to arrive, and it went the way of The New Saints courtesy of Rory Holden.

Receiving the ball on the edge of the penalty area, the number 18 got his shot away, only to be denied by the outstretched leg of home goalkeeper, Will Fuller.

However, just two minutes later, the deadlock was broken, but it was the home side celebrating the goal.

After Danny Davies was dispossessed by Ryan George down the left, the ball reached Jasper Payne just inside the penalty area, and the Briton Ferry man beat Connor Roberts with a first-time finish.

Despite falling behind, The Saints were dominating the ball, and with 20 minutes on the clock, Davies worked Fuller with an effort from distance.

Six minutes later, Davies went close again with an effort that drifted narrowly wide, as the JD Cymru Premier champions continued to look for a way back into the match.

In the 28th minute, Briton Ferry had an opportunity to increase their advantage, but Connor Roberts pulled off an important one-handed stop to prevent Payne from scoring a second.

With 32 minutes on the clock, however, the home side did double their advantage.

Tom Price’s corner from the left caused problems for the TNS defence, and the ball took an unfortunate touch off Jack Bodenham and deflected past his own goalkeeper.

Things would then go from bad to worse for The New Saints in the 38th minute, as Tyler Brock added Briton Ferry’s third of the night, lifting the ball over Connor Roberts following a fast counter-attack.

Two minutes before the half-time break though, Craig Harrison’s side gave themselves a lifeline, as Aramide Oteh headed home from close-range following a good cross from Sion Bradley.

Following the restart, Oteh could’ve found the back of the net again after getting on the end of Leo Smith’s cross, but Briton Ferry captain, Alex Gammond, slid in to make a vital challenge inside the six-yard box.

In the 63rd minute, the visitors were causing problems once more and Fuller needed to be alert, as he dived to his right to push an effort from Holden wide of the post.

Two minutes later, the impressive Fuller came to his side’s rescue again, diving to his left on that occasion to turn Jordan Williams’ curling effort behind for a corner.

With eight minutes of the 90 to go, The Saints’ task got all the more difficult when Jake Canavan was shown a straight red card for a challenge on George.

Playing a man light for the remainder of the game, Harrison’s side were unable to hit back, ultimately falling to a 3-1 defeat as a result.

There’s more JD Cymru Premier action on the way for The New Saints this coming weekend, as they host league leaders Penybont on Saturday (November 23rd).

Kick-off at Park Hall is scheduled for 2:30pm.