The New Saints defeat Cardiff Met University 2-0 to record a fifth consecutive victory

Match Report

Goals: Oteh [P] (39), Holden (89)
Substitutions: Holden for Clark (67), Bradley for Brobbel (81), Wilson for Oteh (81)

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

The New Saints defeated Cardiff Metropolitan University 2-0 to record their fifth consecutive victory.

Aamide Oteh scored from the penalty spot in the 39th minute, before Rory Holden wrapped up the points with a near-post header a minute from time.

The win at Cyncoed Campus preserved The Saints’ one-point lead at the top of the JD Cymru Premier table with phase one of the season now complete.

It was almost a dream start for Cardiff Met, as they could’ve taken the lead with just two minutes on the clock.

Connecting with Dixon Kabongo’s cross at the back post, Sam Jones failed to keep his volleyed effort on target though, and the ball went behind for a goal kick.

The New Saints had their first chance of the night with 12 minutes played, after after receiving the ball on the edge of the penalty area, Danny Redmond’s first-time strike was high over the crossbar.

Six minutes later, there was a chance for Jordan Williams inside the box, but after controlling a searching ball from Brobbel with his chest, fired wide of the target.

Moments later, Alex Lang was almost caught out by an effort from the Northern Ireland U21 international.

After failing to gather the ball at the first time of asking, Aramide Oteh almost capitalised, but the Archers’ goalkeeper denied the TNS man’s follow-up attempt.

In the 28th minute, Lang made another key save, denying Brobbel with a strong left hand as The Saints continued to press for the opening goal.

The deadlock was eventually broken six minutes before half-time, however, and it was the visitors who scored it from the penalty spot.

After Ben Clark was fouled by Jac Clay, Aramide Oteh stepped up and made no mistake, sending Lang the wrong way as he fired down the middle to grab his 13th goal of the season.

It was a quiet start to the second-half, and it took until the 56th minute for a chance to arrive.

After receiving the ball from Oteh on the edge of the penalty area, Danny Redmond tried his luck, but Lang dived to his right to comfortably deny the TNS captain.

Down the other end, former TNS man, CJ Craven, volleyed over from just outside the penalty area in the 70th minute as the Students looked for a way back into the game.

Four minutes later, Harrison’s side almost grabbed a second when a curling effort from Ryan Brobbel went behind off the far post.

With 13 minutes to play, an inviting free-kick from Ryan Reynolds caused problems for The Saints’ defence, but after the ball bounced loose inside the penalty area, the offside flag was eventually raised by the assistant referee.

In the 89th minute though, The Saints made sure of the win, as substitute, Rory Holden, headed home at the near post following a corner from Bradley.

With tonight the final match of phase one, the league leaders don’t yet know their next opponents, but the fixtures for the JD Cymru Premier Championship Conference will be released in the coming days.

Stay tuned to our website to find out more.