Saints battle back to claim all three points at the Oval

Match Report

Goals: Clark (58), J. Williams (62), Brobbel (76)
Substitutions: Brennan for Brobbel (77), Smith for Clark (84), Dafydd for Young (84), Canavan for Redmond (89)

Match report by Sam Wood

The New Saints battled back from a goal down to claim a 3-1 victory against Caernarfon Town.

Trailing 1-0 at the break, Craig Harrison’s side turned on the style in the second period, and thanks to goals from Ben Clark, Jordan Williams and Ryan Brobbel, picked up a comfortable win in the end.

It was a fast start from the visitors, and they would’ve taken the lead through Brad Young in the third minute were it not for a vital Gruffyd Williams interception.

Just a minute later, Caernarfon survived more danger, as Jordan Williams watched a powerful strike come back out off the post.

Down the other end though, it was the Canaries who broke the deadlock with six minutes gone, when summer recruit, Adam Davies, slotted home on the edge of the six-yard box.

Caernarfon continued to look dangerous on the counter-attack throughout the opening period, and Davies went close to scoring a second goal 10 minutes later.

In the 34th minute, there was a let-off for The Saints when an effort from Phillip Mooney went out off the post following a free-kick on the right.

With four minutes of the first-half remaining, Zack Clarke also went close for the home side, as they continued to pick their moments well on the break.

TNS could’ve hit back immediately following the restart, but Ben Clark’s 47th minute effort from the edge of the penalty area was deflected behind for a corner.

With 54 minutes gone, the Oswestry-based side had a golden opportunity to equalise when the ball dropped to Blaine Hudson in space inside the box.

The TNS number 12 failed to get a clean connection on the ball though, and it ran through comfortably to the grateful Webb.

Moments on, the league leaders were denied again, as this time, the crossbar came to Caernarfon’s rescue following Danny Redmond’s shot.

Just two minutes later, however, the woodwork finally worked in The Saints’ favour, as they scored the equalising goal.

Collecting the ball from Brobbel, Clark sold the covering defender with a terrific piece of skill, before sending the ball into the back of the net off the left-hand post.

Just like that, the game was flipped completely on its head, as The New Saints scored a quick-fire second to take the lead for the first time.

Jordan Williams found space inside the box to connect with Chris Marriott’s corner, and despite appeals for an offside by the home defenders, back-heeled the ball into the net from a couple of yards out. 

And with 14 minutes of the 90 remaining, the JD Cymru Premier champions wrapped up the victory when Ryan Brobbel scored for a third league game on the bounce.

Controlling the ball on his chest inside the box, the Northern Ireland under-21 international sent a powerful volley past Lewis Webb and into the far corner to complete a superb turnaround for his team.

With their victory, The Saints maintained their two-point lead at the top of the JD Cymru Premier, and made it four wins from four in all competitions.

It’s back to Park Hall for Harrison’s side this weekend, as they welcome Pontypridd United to Oswestry on Saturday.