Three points for The New Saints after a dramatic comeback at the Essity Stadium

Match Report

Goals: McManus (86), Clark (87)
Substitutions: McManus for Oteh (73), Clark for Smith (77), Wilson for Holden (77)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Nik Mesney/FAW

The New Saints completed a sensational turnaround at the Essity Stadium to claim all three points  against Connah’s Quay Nomads.

After Jack Kenny’s strike in the 54th minute, it looked for long spells of the second-half like The Saints would be leaving Flintshire empty handed, but two late goals flipped the match completely on its head.

After Declan McManus poked home an equaliser in the 86th minute, Ben Clark popped up just 51 seconds later to curl home a dramatic winner from inside the penalty area.

It was an evenly-matched start to the game, but it was The New Saints who had the first opening with nine minutes on the clock.

After some good skill to create space down the left, Ryan Brobbel cut back inside with the ball, but his effort was easy for the goalkeeper to collect.

Three minutes later, an edge-of-the-box volley from Dan Williams went wide of the target, as Craig Harrison’s side continued to press for the opener.

With 26 minutes on the clock, George Ratcliffe came to his side’s rescue, pulling off a close-range save to deny Leo Smith inside the six-yard box.

Another save followed two minutes later, with the Nomads’ number 31 denying Josh Daniels, before Brobbel went close again in the 43rd minute.

A minute before the interval, Ratcliffe made another vital stop, as he tipped Jordan Williams’ goal-bound strike behind for a corner.

Just two minutes into the second-half, it was almost the Nomads who broke the deadlock courtesy of Fumpa Mwandwe.

After creating space on the edge of the penalty area, the number 12’s strike was drilled narrowly wide Connor Roberts’ left post.

It was Billy Paynter’s side who did eventually make the breakthrough though, with the game’s opening goal arriving in the 54th minute.

After controlling Marriott’s pass inside the box, Mwandwe sent an inviting ball across the face of goal, allowing Jack Kenny to poke home from inside the six-yard box.

Nine minutes later, the JD Cymru Premier champions almost hit back from a free-kick. It was a superb delivery from Brobbel, but Danny Davies watched his close-range header come back out off the post.

In the 71st minute, Harrison’s side were again close to an equaliser, but after controlling the ball with his chest, Dan Williams volleyed wide from just inside the box.

Turning to his bench to add extra firepower, The Saints’ head coach introduced the trio of Declan McManus, Ben Clark and Adam Wilson.

The substitutions would prove to be inspired too, as with 86 minutes on the clock, McManus poked the ball home from the edge of the penalty area to equalise for the visitors.

Then, sensationally just 51 seconds later, an unlikely turnaround was completed by another of the substitutes, Ben Clark.

After carrying the ball 40 yards, the Academy graduate spun inside the box, before bending a finish beyond the outstretched arms of Ratcliffe and into the back of the net.

It was an important victory for the defending champions, as they move to within four points of current leaders, Penybont, with two games in hand.

The Saints are back in action this coming Saturday (November 2nd), as they make the trip to South Wales to take on Barry Town United.

Kick-off at Jenner Park is scheduled for 1pm.