The New Saints defeat Cambrian United 5-0 to set-up JD Welsh Cup final rematch with Connah’s Quay Nomads

Match Report

Goals: Redmond (16), Cieslewicz (21), Clarke (26, 45), Holden (29)
Substitutions: Clark for Holden (32), Phillips for J. Williams (58), Bradley for D. Williams (58), Pask for Cieslewicz (77), Oteh for Wilson (77)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Ashley Crowden/FAW

The New Saints reached the final of the JD Welsh Cup for a fourth consecutive season after defeating Cambrian United at Aberystwyth Town’s Park Avenue.

It was a professional performance from start to finish from Craig Harrison’s side, as they recorded a 5-0 victory against the JD Cymru South outfit.

The Saints can now look forward to a rematch of the 2024 JD Welsh Cup final, as they face Connah’s Quay Nomads in this season’s showpiece event at Newport County’s Rodney Parade on May 4th.

It was a strong start from The New Saints, and they had numerous chances to break the deadlock inside the opening 10 minutes.

First, a header from Adam Wilson hit the side netting, before later efforts from Danny Redmond and Zack Clarke were sent narrowly across the face of goal.

In the 10th minute, it was then the turn of Dan Williams to go close, but the former Swansea City man dragged his effort wide from the edge of the penalty area.

For all of their early pressure, however, The Saints were finally rewarded with 16 minutes on the clock.

Intercepting Miles John’s headed clearance on the edge of the box, Redmond curled the ball past goalkeeper Morgan Davis and into the far corner to give his side the lead.

It wasn’t long before Craig Harrison’s side were celebrating again, as in the 21st minute, they scored their second of the afternoon.

After a well-worked corner routine, the ball reached Adrian Cieslewicz on the edge of the penalty area, and the club’s longest-serving player slotted the ball through the crowded penalty area and into the back of the net.

The TNS third goal arrived just five minutes later with Cieslewicz turned provided, as his cross from the right side was headed home at close-range by January signing Zack Clarke.

Then it was Rory Holden’s turn to get amongst the goals. Receiving the ball from Wilson, the number 18 left the goalkeeper rooted to the spot with a left-footed effort to make the score 4-0 to the JD Cymru Premier champions.

In the final minute of the first-half, Harrison’s side added a fifth. It was Clarke on target for the second time in the game, as he turned the ball home from the edge of the six-yard box after some good link-up play between Jordan Williams and Danny Redmond.

With The Saints taking a healthy lead into the half-time interval, it perhaps came as no surprise to find that the second 45 wasn’t played at quite the same intensity as the first.

Six minutes after the restart, however, Cambrian goalkeeper Davies pulled off an important save to prevent Jordan Williams from finding the net.

Making a rare foray forward in the 56th minute, Cambrian thought they should’ve had a penalty when Tim Parker tangled with Jack Bodenham on the edge of the box, but referee, Bryn Markham-Jones wasn’t convinced.

With 68 minutes on the clock, substitute Ben Clark then had an effort saved by the goalkeeper, as The Saints continued to push for a sixth.

Despite continuing to knock on the door in the time that remained, further goals weren’t forthcoming, and 5-0 is how the semi-final tie ended at Park Avenue.

As a result of the victory, it’ll be a rematch of last year’s JD Welsh Cup final, with The New Saints set to battle Connah’s Quay Nomads at Newport County’s Rodney Parade on Sunday, May 4th.

Next up, though, is a return to JD Cymru Premier action and a trip to the capital, as the newly-crowned champions take on Cardiff Met University next weekend. Kick-off at Cyncoed Campus is scheduled for 2:30pm.