The New Saints reach the JD Welsh Cup quarter-finals with a 10th consecutive win

Goals: J. Williams (18), Pask (71), D. Davies (74)
Yellow cards: Marshall (59)
Substitutions: Jones for Brobbel (69), Astles for Clark (79), D. Williams for Holden (79)

Match report by Sam Wood

The New Saints reached the quarter-finals of the JD Welsh Cup following a 3-0 win on the road against Carmarthen Town.

It was a dominant performance by Craig Harrison’s side, and goals from Jordan Williams, Josh Pask and Danny Davies proved to be enough at Richmond Park.

The win in South Wales makes in 10 in a row for the JD Cymru Premier champions, who are now unbeaten in 25 matches stretching back to August 1st.

The New Saints had the first chance of the game with three minutes on the clock, but Ben Clark’s effort from the edge of the box rolled straight through to the goalkeeper.

Four minutes later, Ryan Brobbel volleyed wide following a Leo Smith corner, as the visitors continued to apply all of the pressure in the early stages.

In the 18th minute, Craig Harrison’s side got their reward, as the opening goal arrived courtesy of Jordan Williams.

Turning with the ball on the edge of the penalty area, the former Stockport County man drilled a left-footed effort past Lee Idzi and into the far corner to give his side the lead.

Six minutes later, Clark had a great chance to double the TNS advantage, but the number 19 dragged his effort wide of the left post after going 1v1 with the goalkeeper. 

Jordan Marshall could’ve scored his first goal for the club in the 35th minute, but after connecting with Danny Davies’ cross from the right, fired wide of the target.

The number 26 was involved again five minutes after the restart, but on that occasion, it was a combination of Idzi and the crossbar that denied him his goal.

Carmarthen enjoyed more possession in the second-half, but did little to work Connor Roberts in the TNS goal.

In the 64th minute, the Old Gold did have appeals for a penalty when Noah Daley went down under pressure inside the box, but referee, Bryn Markham-Jones waved away the protests.

After surviving the hosts’ spell of pressure, Harrison’s side finally asserted their dominance when the game’s second goal arrived in the 71st minute.

It was Josh Pask who collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area, and the number two rifled past Idzi to double his lead’s lead with his second goal of the season.

The JD Cymru Premier champions could’ve had a third goal just minutes later, but Jordan Vickers cleared Rory Holden’s header off the line.

There was no denying Danny Davies with 74 minutes on the clock, however, as the full-back climbed highest inside the penalty area to head home Marshall’s well-placed cross towards the back post.

Davies’ goal made the score 3-0, from which there was no way back for Carmarthen, and The Saints booked their place in the quarter-finals of the JD Welsh Cup as a result.

Next up for Craig Harrison’s side is a return to league action, as they host Penybont in the JD Cymru Premier on Saturday, December 16th.