The New Saints fall to defeat at the Essity Stadium

Match Report

The teams are in ahead of today’s top-of-the-table clash!

Here’s how The New Saints start vs Connah’s Quay Nomads…#TNSFC | #JDCymruPremier pic.twitter.com/iZ0O3qxMgI

— The New Saints FC (@tnsfc) December 31, 2025

Goals: J. Williams (55)
Yellow cards: D. Williams (11), Chris Seargeant (42), Brobbel (87)
Substitutions: Brobbel for B. Wilson (46), Jefferies for Clark (46)

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

The New Saints saw their JD Cymru Premier lead cut to four points following a 3-1 defeat against Connah’s Quay Nomads.

After a strong first-half display, John Disney’s side went into the break with a two-goal lead, but Jordan Williams reduced the arrears 10 minutes into the second half.

The Saints were unable to mount a comeback, however, with Callum West scoring a third goal for the home side 10 minutes from time.

It was a positive start from The New Saints at the Essity Stadium, with Craig Harrison’s side controlling possession in the early stages.

With eight minutes on the clock, however, it was Connah’s Quay Nomads who made the breakthrough, as Rhys Hughes converted from the penalty spot after Jordan Marshall fouled Harry Franklin.

In the 17th minute, the visitors had an opportunity to respond quickly, but after the ball fell kindly on the edge of the penalty area, Ben Clark failed to hit the target with a volleyed effort.

Moments later, the Nomads could have doubled their advantage following a quick breakaway, but Clark recovered superbly to deny Franklin with a brilliant last-ditch challenge.

There was another opening for John Disney’s side in the 28th minute when Declan Poole beat a number of TNS defenders on the edge of the penalty area.

Despite sending an inviting ball across the face of goal, nobody in a red shirt could get on the end of it, and The New Saints survived the danger.

Four minutes before the break, though, the Nomads did double their advantage, as Dan Williams inadvertently turned a cross from Noah Edwards past his own goalkeeper from the edge of the six-yard box.

Trailing 2-0 at the interval, Craig Harrison introduced both Ryan Brobbel and Isaac Jefferies in an attempt to alter the course of proceedings.

Jordan Williams had the first chance of the second half, however, volleying wide from just outside the penalty area while under pressure from the home defence.

Williams was not to be denied in the 55th minute, though, as he raced onto Brobbel’s over-the-top pass before coolly slotting the ball past Kit Margetson to pull his side right back into the game.

Sustained TNS pressure followed, and Jefferies sent an effort narrowly wide of the right-hand post in the 63rd minute.

With 73 minutes on the clock, goalkeeper Margetson came to his side’s rescue, producing a full-stretch save to prevent Brobbel’s free-kick from finding the top corner.

The home side remained a threat on the counter-attack, however, and in the 80th minute they scored a superb third goal.

After winning possession from Dominic Corness in the centre circle, Callum West surged towards the TNS penalty area. He weaved past two defenders and rounded Nathan Shepperd before calmly slotting the ball into an empty net to score what proved to be the decisive goal.

It ended 3-1 at the Essity Stadium, meaning a first league defeat since November 7 for Craig Harrison’s side, who saw their lead at the top of the JD Cymru Premier cut to four points as a result.

The defending champions will look to respond quickly at Park Hall this weekend as they take on Bala Town in their rearranged Boxing Day fixture.

Kick-off is scheduled for 2:30pm on Saturday, January 3rd, 2026.

It’s defeat at the Essity Stadium. #TNSFC | #JDCymruPremier pic.twitter.com/n4qQvg7KyO

— The New Saints FC (@tnsfc) December 31, 2025