An Eighth Consecutive Win, As The New Saints Bring Home Three Points from The Rock

Match Report

Goals: McManus (38), J. Williams (69), Hudson (73), Brobbel (86)
Yellow cards: Baker (20), J. Williams (24)
Substitutions: Redmond for Baker (54), Robles for Cieslewicz (66), Smith for McManus (84)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Brian Jones

The New Saints picked up an eighth consecutive JD Cymru Premier victory, defeating Cefn Druids 4-1 at The Rock.

The scores were level when the two sides went into the half-time break, but Anthony Limbrick’s men showed their ruthlessness in front of goal to take command of the game in the second 45.

It’s a result which extends The Saints’ lead at the top of the table to 21 points, thanks to Penybont’s goalless draw against Barry Town United.

There were chances for both teams in the early stages of the match, with Phil Mooney heading narrowly wide for the Druids in the 7th minute, before Ben Clark forced a save from Mike Jones down the other end moments later.

With 10 minutes on the clock, The Saints were threatening again, and it took a good near-post save from home goalkeeper, Mike Jones, to deny Ash Baker the opener.

There was confusion around the ground four minutes later when the visitors appeared to take the lead through Jordan Williams.

The number 17’s header found the back of the net, but the assistant referee raised the offside flag for an offside in the build-up to the goal.

There was a let of for Limbrick’s team mid-way through the half, when a mistake from Connor Roberts presented Liam Thomas with the ball a few yards from goal. The TNS goalkeeper pulled off a smart save however, the recover from his previous error.

With 38 minutes played, the deadlock was finally  broken though, when Declan McManus got on the end of a Ryan Brobbel cross.

The Scottish striker sent a delicately cushioned header past Jones and into the far corner of the net to grab his 21st league goal of the season.

It looked as if the visitors would head into the half-time interval with the lead, that was until the Ancients equalised in bizarre fashion in stoppage time.

An Ioan Evans corner from the far side evaded everyone inside the penalty area, before deflecting off the back post and into the net to level proceedings.

Following the restart, it was the visitors who had the first chance of the half, but after receiving the ball inside the box, McManus was unable to get a shot away under pressure from the defence.

The Saints had a further chance to retake the lead 13 minutes into the second period, but McManus saw his header cannon back off the crossbar, and the ball was scrambled off the line acrobatically by a Druids man.

They were made to be patient, but Limbrick’s team eventually found the back of the net once more 21 minutes from time, courtesy of Jordan Williams.

Collecting the ball on the edge of the six yard box, the number 17 showed great composure, as he calmly slotted into the corner of the net to make the score 2-1.

Four minutes later, The Saints took control of the game, as they extended their lead further when Blaine Hudson headed home from close range following a Brobbel free-kick.

After a hat-trick of assists, Ryan Brobbel eventually got on the scoresheet as well, converting an edge of the box free-kick superbly four minutes from time.

It was another professional performance from the Park Hall side, who moved 21 points clear in the JD Cymru Premier for their efforts.

Next up is a departure from league action, as Guilsfield visit Oswestry next weekend for JD Welsh Cup quarter-final action.