Jefferies brace fires Saints past Nomads and into the Nathaniel MG Cup fourth round

Match Report

https://twitter.com/tnsfc/status/1965835657810686208

Goals: Jefferies (37, 38), Clark (54)
Substitutions: Clark for D. Williams (46), Cieslewicz for Owen (50), Morris for Phillips (58), Brobbel for Corness (73), J. Williams for Jefferies (73)

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

The New Saints defeated Connah’s Quay Nomads 3-1 at the Essity Stadium to book their spot in the fourth round of the Nathaniel MG Cup.

Isaac Jefferies scored twice in two first-half minutes, before Ben Clark added a third after a wicked deflection nine minutes after the restart. 

Harry Franklin grabbed a late consolation for the home side in second-half stoppage time, but it was too little too late to alter the outcome of the contest.

It was a fast start to proceedings at the Essity Stadium, with chances for both teams inside the opening 20 minutes.

After a mazy forward run, Kade Craig had the first chance of the night with four minutes on the clock, but his eventual effort was high over the crossbar.

Down the other end, Callum West forced Nathan Shepperd into a first save of the night two minutes later with a headed effort from the edge of the penalty area.

West sent another effort over the crossbar in the 21st minute, before Marco Fregapane breathed a huge sigh of relief after sending a clearance against his own post.

The first goal of the night eventually arrived in the 37th minute though, and it came about following some initial good work from Ken Charles.

Taking the ball around the goalkeeper, the number nine saw his effort blocked on the line by Fregapane, but Isaac Jefferies fired home on the rebound to score his first goal for the club.

Just like that it was two, as less than 60 seconds later, the on-loan Cardiff City man was on target again.

Capitalising on a loose backpass from Fregapane, the 20-year-old surged past Dan Cowen, before beating Ryley Berry at the near post to send his side into the half-time break with a comfortable lead.

Craig Harrison’s men picked up where they left off following the restart, with half-time substitute Ben Clark denied by Berry in the 52nd minute, before Charles fired wide from close-range a few moments later.

The Saints were eventually rewarded with their third of the night in the 54th minute, but there was touch of fortunate to the goal scored by Clark.

Taking aim from just outside the penalty area, the Academy graduate’s strike took a huge deflection off Fregapane, wrong-footing the goalkeeper, and sending the ball into the back of the net.

Despite the holders establishing what looked to be an unassailable lead, the home side weren’t deterred, and still carried attacking threat as they looked to get back in the game.

With 60 minutes played, West forced birthday boy Shepperd into a save from the edge of the box, before Callum Bratley fired over a few moments later. 

Then, in the 74th minute, John Disney’s side were given the perfect opportunity to get themselves back in the match, when referee Siôn Davies awarded a penalty after Declan Poole’s cross struck the arm of Ryan Astles.

Rhys Hughes stepped up to take it, but there was too much power on the effort, with the ball clearing both the crossbar and perimeter fence of the stadium.

It looked like that would be the end of the action, but in the third minute of stoppage time, Harry Franklin took advantage of a short Harrison McGahey backpass to score a late consolation, making the full-time 3-1. 

Despite the late setback, all in all, it proved to be a comfortable evening for Craig Harrison’s side, and they secured their spot in the fourth round draw of the Nathaniel MG Cup.

It’s back to JD Cymru Premier action for the Saints this weekend, as they take on Llanelli Town at Park Hall Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 12:30pm on Saturday, September 13th.