Defeat for The Saints at New Douglas Park

Match Report

In the first of three pre-season friendlies this week, The New Saints travelled north of the English border to face Scottish League One side, Hamilton Academical.

With the all-important UEFA Champions League game against BK Häcken now just nine days away, the champions of Wales faced another tough test at New Douglas Park, which is exactly what Craig Harrison will have wanted at this stage of the pre-season campaign.

The Accies took the lead with just seven minutes gone when Kevin O’Hara scored from the penalty spot after a foul by Declan McManus.

Three minutes later, however, the Scottish striker made amends, turning home from close range after some great work by a trialist.

Both sides continued to trade chances throughout the match, but it took until the 85th minute for another goal to arrive. It was Hamilton’s Joe McGlynn who scored it, to condemn The Saints to a 2-1 defeat on the road.

Tomorrow night, Craig Harrison’s side travel to the capital to take on English Championship side, Cardiff City, before their pre-season campaign concludes at Macclesfield FC’s Leasing.com Stadium on Saturday.

Starting line-up: Reece Thompson; Ash Baker, Blaine Hudson, Ben Woollam, Billy Kirkman; Jon Routledge, Rory Holden (Adam Roscrow 72), Ryan Brobbel; Adrian Cieslewicz, Trialist (Gwion Dafydd 72), Declan McManus (Jake Canavan 63)