Five-star Saints make it three wins from three against Cardiff Met

Match Report

https://twitter.com/tnsfc/status/2090863098047389901?s=20

Goals: B. Wilson [P] (45+7), [P] (61), Hughes (56), Simeu (65), Holden (90)
Yellow cards: Hughes (20), D. Williams (47)
Substitutions: Brobbel for Jefferies (70), Holden for Hughes (70), Smith for D. Williams (70), J. Williams for Lock (75), Clark for B. Wilson (80)

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

The New Saints made it three wins from three in the Novira Cymru Premier after defeating Cardiff Met 5-0 at Cyncoed Stadium.

Making his first start since returning from injury, Ben Wilson opened the scoring from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time following a VAR review.

That review also left the home side with 10 men for the remainder of the match, and the Saints took control with Rhys Hughes, Wilson again, Dynel Simeu and Rory Holden all on target in the second period.

The visitors made a bright start at Cyncoed Stadium, and it was they who had all of the early openings.

They earned their first chance of the night with nine minutes on the clock when Isaac Jefferies was fouled on the edge of the penalty area.

Rhys Hughes stood over the resulting free-kick, but the effort was flashed across the face of goal and behind for a goal kick.

Down the other end, there was an important piece of defending from Danny Davies in the 23rd minute, as the Wales C man got to the ball ahead of the arriving Jasper Payne, denying him on the edge of the six-yard box.

The Saints thought they’d made the breakthrough with 35 minutes on the clock when Danny Davies turned home Ben Wilson’s flicked header at the back post.

After a brief VAR check, however, the goal was ruled out for offside and the score remained goalless.

Three minutes before the break, the best chance of the half arrived after a good run from Jefferies. The former Cardiff City man beat a couple of defenders on the edge of the area before getting a shot away, but the effort struck the left post and went behind.

The two sides appeared to be heading into the break with the score goalless, but in first-half stoppage time, there was more VAR drama following a series of TNS corners.

Referee Mark James was summoned to the pitchside monitor, and after reviewing the footage, showed a straight red card to Met’s James Clarke and awarded the Saints a penalty.

Ben Wilson stepped up to take it, dispatching the ball well beyond the reach of goalkeeper Arran Davies in the seventh added minute to send his side in at the break with a 1-0 lead.

The Archers came out of the traps quickly following the restart, and Nathan Shepperd was called into action with 48 minutes on the clock, pulling off a smart save at his near post to prevent Payne from snatching an equaliser.

Things would get better for the defending champions eight minutes later though, as summer signing Rhys Hughes drilled a powerful finish past the goalkeeper from inside the D after he was teed up well by Wilson.

With an hour gone, Harrison’s side were handed another opportunity to strengthen their grip on the match, when they were awarded a second penalty of the night following a foul on Jefferies.

Wilson again took responsibility from the spot, and once more he fired past Davies to score his second of the night and make it 3-0 in favour of his side.

Dynel Simeu got in on the act four minutes later, scoring his first goal for the club with a sensational strike from 30 yards into the top right corner, leaving the goalkeeper rooted to the spot.

The visitors weren’t done there either. After knocking on the door multiple times in the closing stages, the fifth goal finally arrived in the final minute of the 90, as substitute Rory Holden headed home Dominic Corness’ cross on the edge of the six-yard box to seal a 5-0 win on the road.

The result lifts the Saints into second place in the Novira Cymru Premier table and maintains their unbeaten start to the domestic season.

The New Saints are back in action next Friday (August 28th) when they take on Colwyn Bay at Park Hall. Kick-off in that match is scheduled for 7:45pm.