The New Saints leave Latham Park with all three points, despite a close-fought battle with Newtown

Match Report

Goals: Mills-Evans [O.G.] (33)
Yellow cards: Craig Harrison (20)
Substitutions: D. Williams for Clark (64), McManus for Young (64)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Brian Jones

The New Saints were pushed all the way by a determined Newtown side, but did just enough to leave Latham Park with a 1-0 victory.

Only a 33rd minute own goal from Kieran Mills-Evans could separate the sides, and the Robins will be disappointed not to have come away with at least a point.

Despite hitting the crossbar, and calling Connor Roberts into action on a couple of occasions, Scott Ruscoe’s side couldn’t deny The Saints a 26th consecutive victory, however.

The New Saints were seeing all of the ball in the early stages, and with less than two minutes on the clock, they had the first chance of the game.

It was Danny Davies who tried his luck from the edge of the penalty area, but his effort lacked power, meaning it was easy for Andy Wycherley to collect.

After soaking up the early TNS pressure, Newtown began to grow into the game, and with 19 minutes on the clock, they had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock.

An inviting cross from George Hughes found Jason Oswell on the edge of the six-yard box, but the Robins’ number nine could only direct his headed effort into the grateful arms of Connor Roberts.

Down the other end, Wycherley came to his side’s rescue, as he palmed away a powerful Adrian Cieslewicz effort, but the opening goal did eventually arrive with 33 minutes on the clock.

Although it was The New Saints who took the lead, it wasn’t scored by a green and white shirt, however, with Newtown’s Kieran Mills-Evans the unfortunate man to put through his own net.

An inviting ball from Josh Daniels caused problems for The Robins’ defender, with his attempted header at the near post beating Wycherley and nestling in the back of his own net.

The sides continued to be closely-matched following the restart, and with opportunities few and far between in the opening stages.

Suddenly though, the game burst into life just before the hour mark, and chances began to flow at both ends of the pitch.

Firstly, it was Roberts’ turn to get his team out of danger in the 59th minute, as he stood up tall to save a powerful Ryan Sears strike. The ball did bounce loose, but it was good covering from his defensive line to mop up any danger.

Two minutes later, it could’ve been The Saints celebrating, as Ben Clark watched a headed effort land on the roof of the net from the edge of the penalty area.

Then, just 60 seconds on, Newtown couldn’t have come any close to a possible equaliser.

Taking the ball into his stride on the edge of the penalty area, former TNS striker, Louis Robles, beat Roberts with a powerful strike, only to watch the effort cannon back out off the crossbar.

Although, after that frantic spell, the game settled down again, it remained nervy for The Saints as the half drew to a close.

In the 78th minute though, Jordan Williams could’ve doubled his side’s advantage, and would have were it not for a great double save by Wycherley.

Making the first save from a headed effort, the Robins’ goalkeeper rose to his feet quickly to deny Williams a goal with his follow-up strike.

Seven minutes from time, TNS were handed a boost, as Newtown midfielder, Matty Jones, was shown a straight red card for what appeared to be an off the ball incident.

Harrison’s side almost took immediate advantage too, as Leo Smith forced Wycherley into a superb save with a long-range strike.

Forced to play the remainder of the match with a man deficit, Scott Ruscoe’s side struggled to rally themselves again, and The Saints did just enough to leave Latham Park with all three points.

The win was also TNS’ 26th consecutive victory in all competitions, as they remain hot on the heels of Saudi Arabian side, Al Hilal, who broke their Guinness World record earlier this week.

Next up for The New Saints, they head back to Scotland to take on Airdrieonians in the final of the PSFL trust Trophy. Kick-off in that match is scheduled for 4:15pm on Sunday. March 24th.