The New Saints make it five from five after a 3-2 win against Caernarfon Town

Match Report

Goals: B. Wilson (14), Hughes (22), Davies (75)
Yellow cards: Simeu (90)
Substitutions: Young for B. Wilson (73), J. Williams for Jefferies (73), Nolan for Redmond (73), Holden for Lock (89)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Brian Jones

The New Saints made it five wins from five in the Novira Cymru Premier after an entertaining match at The Oval.

Goals from Ben Wilson and Rhys Hughes gave Craig Harrison’s side a first-half lead against Caernarfon Town, but Osian Evans pulled one back just before the break.

Former TNS man Adrian Cieslewicz then equalised for the Canaries following the restart, but Danny Davies sealed the win for his side with a well-struck finish 15 minutes from time.

The deadlock was broken at The Oval with just 14 minutes on the clock, as Ben Wilson scored his third goal of the season.

Finding space inside the six-yard box, he was in the right place at the right time to sweep home Dan Williams’ cross from the right to give his side a 1-0 lead.

It could’ve been two just four minutes later, but after initially denying Jack Bodenham following a corner, former TNS goalkeeper Connor Roberts got to his feet quickly to keep out Wilson’s attempt.

The Novira Cymru Premier champions weren’t waiting long to celebrate a second, however, as summer signing Rhys Hughes picked out the bottom corner with another long-range finish after a well-worked corner routine.

In the 29th minute, Craig Harrison’s side were in again after some good footwork by Josh Lock.

The Academy graduate went one-on-one with Roberts and lifted the ball over the goalkeeper, but Canaries’ captain Ryan Sears got back on the line to clear the danger.

It continued to be one-way traffic throughout the opening period, and Roberts was involved again, denying Danny Davies at close range.

Against the run of play though, Richard Davies’ side pulled a goal back four minutes before the break thanks to Osian Evans’ backheeled finish, sending the sides in at the interval with the score at 2-1.

In the early stages of the second half, TNS had a couple of opportunities to restore their two-goal advantage, but it was Caernarfon who grabbed the game’s next goal.

After Zack Clarke’s effort was parried by Nathan Shepperd, the ball dropped kindly for another former TNS man, Adrian Cieslewicz, who fired home the equaliser with a powerful strike from the edge of the six-yard box.

On the hour mark, Caernarfon were threatening again, but Josh Lock got back well to make a well-timed sliding challenge, preventing Sion Bradley from breaking one-on-one with Shepperd.

Lock was then involved at the other end two minutes later, forcing Connor Roberts into a save low down to his right to prevent him from restoring the TNS advantage.

With 15 minutes of the 90 remaining, however, Harrison’s side did eventually restore their advantage, and it was Danny Davies who was the man on target.

After cutting inside from the right, the Wales C international showed some good footwork to work space for a shot, before sending a powerful strike in off the far post to give his side a 3-2 lead.

Despite Caernarfon making a number of changes in the closing stages as they looked to get on terms once more, Harrison’s side saw out the remainder of the match in professional fashion to make it five consecutive victories.

The New Saints are back in action this coming Saturday when they welcome Barry Town United to Park Hall in front of the Sgorio cameras.

Kick-off in that match is scheduled for 5:15pm.