The New Saints defeat Holywell Town 6-1 to maintain their six-point Novira Cymru Premier lead

Match Report

https://twitter.com/tnsfc/status/2108607833981833319?s=20

Goals: Young [P] (31), Hughes (48), Lock (68), Bodenham (72), Clark (89), J. Williams [P] (90+1)
Substitutions: J. Williams for Young (62), Jefferies for Lock (74), Farrell for Simeu (75), Clark for Redmond (80), Nolan for Hughes (81)

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

The New Saints defeated Holywell Town 6-1 to maintain their six-point lead at the top of the Novira Cymru Premier table.

Brad Young gave his side the lead from the penalty spot with 31 minutes played, but the home side hit back seven minutes before the break through captain Danny Sullivan.

Craig Harrison’s side came out for the second half quickly though, and further goals from Rhys Hughes, Josh Lock, Jack Bodenham, Ben Clark and Jordan Williams made it 12 consecutive victories for the league leaders.

It took a while for things to settle at the Barton’s North Wales Stadium, as both sides battled for the ascendancy against tricky weather conditions.

With the rain finally giving way, however, Craig Harrison’s side began to enjoy a sustained spell of possession.

In the 17th minute, they had their first chance of the night, but after connecting with Danny Redmond’s cross from the left, Dan Williams failed to hit the target with his header.

There was another let-off for the Wellmen five minutes later when another inviting cross, this time from Dominic Corness, went behind off the crossbar.

The league leaders continued to knock on the door, and in the 28th minute, they were awarded what they thought was a free-kick following a foul on Brad Young.

As Rhys Hughes prepared to take the set piece, referee Tom Owen awarded a penalty instead following a VAR review, which Young stepped up to dispatch coolly and make the score 1-0.

Despite falling behind, the hosts didn’t let their heads drop, and seven minutes before the break, they got themselves back on level terms.

After Harvey Morris’ strike took a ricochet off a defender, the ball dropped kindly for Danny Sullivan, and the Holywell captain made no mistake as he fired past Nathan Shepperd.

The sides went in level at the break, but it took the Saints just three minutes to restore their advantage following the restart.

After Young’s initial header was saved by Swindell, the home defence failed to deal with the loose ball. Rhys Hughes took full advantage, as he sent a powerful finish into the bottom left corner to score his 10th goal of the season.

With 53 minutes on the clock, the defending champions were threatening again, but on that occasion, the post came to Holywell’s rescue to deny Young a second of the night.

Down the other end, there was a chance for Holywell just before the hour mark, but Nathan Shepperd got out quickly to deny Florian Yonsian following a fast counter-attack.

Things got better yet for Harrison’s side in the 68th minute thanks to a well-worked move inside the penalty area.

Substitute Jordan Williams squared the ball for Josh Lock, who was waiting on the edge of the six-yard box, and the Academy graduate made no mistake in slotting home with his left foot to put his side in control.

It was four for the league leaders in the 72nd minute, as Jack Bodenham rose highest inside the penalty area to meet a cross from Hughes.

Another substitute, Ben Clark, was on target with a headed effort of his own in the 89th minute, before Jordan Williams sealed a 6-1 win for the Novira Cymru Premier champions from the penalty spot.

The New Saints take a break from league action next weekend as they travel to Airbus UK Broughton in the second round of the FAW Welsh Cup.

Kick-off at The Hollingsworth Group Stadium is scheduled for 7:45pm.