The New Saints end their JD Cymru Premier campaign with a 3-1 victory against Haverfordwest County

Match Report

Goals: Wilson (55), Clarke (58), Brobbel (71)
Substitutions: Oteh for Wilson (65), J. Williams for Clarke (65), Clark for D. Williams (65), Phillips for Brobbel (73), Bradley for Pask (73)

Match report by Sam Wood

It was three points for The New Saints on the final day of the JD Cymru Premier season, as they defeated Haverfordwest County 3-1 at Bridge Meadow Stadium.

After a goalless first half, Craig Harrison’s side found their cutting edge in the second, and Adam Wilson, Zack Clarke and Ryan Brobbel were all on target for the 17-time champions.

Dan Hawkins did score a late consolation for the home side in the final minute of the 90, but it could do little to change the outcome of the game.

It was a fast start by the home side, and they could’ve made the breakthrough inside the opening 10 seconds, courtesy of Ben Ahmun.

The Bluebirds’ striker connected with Rhys Abbruzzese’s inviting cross from the left, but failed to hit the target, however, with his headed effort.

With eight minutes on the clock, home goalkeeper Iffan Knott was called into action for the first time, as he dived to his right to acrobatically prevent Josh Pask’s volley from hitting the back of the net.

Just seconds later, Craig Harrison’s side had another chance to break the deadlock, but Jack Bodenham’s header came back off the crossbar.

Despite the lively start, things quickly calmed down, and both sides struggled to create openings as the half progressed.

In the 23rd minute, Zack Clarke saw a header blocked inside the six-yard box after some good work from Adam Wilson, before Harrison McGahey made an important challenge down the other end three minutes later to deny Owain Jones.

Five minutes before the break, Bodenham again caused problems from a corner, but under pressure from Greg Walters, he failed to hit the target with his head.

As a result, the teams went in level at the break, and the game was again slow to get going following the restart.

In the 55th minute, however, the opening goal did eventually arrive, and it was The New Saints who scored it.

After a surging run down the left from Danny Redmond, the TNS captain picked out Wilson with a cross along the floor, and the on-loan Bradford City man fired home from the edge of the six-yard box.

Just like that, the JD Cymru Premier champions were celebrating again, as their second goal arrived less than three minutes later.

Controlling the ball with some good footwork on the edge of the penalty area, Clarke unleashed a powerful curling strike which beat the outstretched Knott, before finding the top corner.

Just after the hour mark, the Bluebirds’ goalkeeper came to his side’s rescue again, as he pulled off a smart save to prevent Josh Pask from putting the game to bed.

In the 68th minute, Tony Pennock’s side thought they’d found a way back into the match when captain Dylan Rees fired past Connor Roberts, but despite the home crowd celebrating, the assistant referee raised the offside flag.

It proved to be a key moment in the match as well, as five minutes later, the league leaders secured all three points with their third goal of the afternoon.

Going from back to front with just six passes of the ball, it was Ryan Brobbel who fired beneath the goalkeeper from the edge of the six-yard box to give his side a commanding lead in the game.

The home side would score a late consolation through Dan Hawkins in the 89th minute, but with so little time remaining in the match, it could do nothing to change the eventual outcome.

As a result of their win, and Penybont’s 3-2 defeat against Bala Town, The Saints won the JD Cymru Premier title by an eventual margin of 17 points – an impressive feat when taking into account their extended involvement in European competition this season.

With no game next weekend, Harrison’s side will now get set for the JD Welsh Cup final on May 4th, as they take on Connah’s Quay Nomads looking to complete a first domestic treble since 2016.