Dominant Saints held to a draw at The DragonBet Stadium

Match Report

https://twitter.com/tnsfc/status/2083894415286792247?s=20

Yellow cards: Holden (38), Craig Harrison (42), Jefferies (50)
Substitutions: Jefferies for Holden (46)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Lewis Mitchell/FAW

The New Saints were forced to settle for a point at the DragonBet Stadium despite controlling large spells of the match against Penybont.

Leo Smith, Danny Davies and Jordan Williams all had chances to break the deadlock, but there proved to be no way past on-loan Cardiff City man Daniel Higgs in the Bont goal.

Although he would’ve been disappointed not to secure all three points on the day, head coach Craig Harrison will have been pleased with his side’s display less than three days on from their UEFA Conference League exploits.

It was the home side who had the first chance of the match with 11 minutes on the clock when Ethan Vaughan tried his luck from the edge of the penalty area.

The strike failed to test Nathan Shepperd in the TNS goal, however, as it went sailing high over the crossbar.

The visitors then had their first opportunity in the 23rd minute, with Leo Smith showing good alertness to capitalise on a loose pass in midfield.

After driving forward, the Wales C international tested Daniel Higgs from distance, but the Bont keeper stood firm to keep out his effort.

Both sides continued to cancel each other out throughout the opening period, so it came as no surprise to see the score remaining level at the half-time break.

Head coach Craig Harrison turned to his bench at the interval, introducing Isaac Jefferies for Rory Holden in a bid to force the ascendancy.

The switch certainly had the desired effect too, as the Novira Cymru Premier champions began to dominate proceedings in the second period.

In the 58th minute, Danny Davies whipped in an inviting cross after a good run down the right, but Jordan Williams failed to get the ball under control inside the penalty area.

The former Connah’s Quay Nomads man was involved again less than 60 seconds later, but after getting goal side of the covering defender, was thwarted by a well-timed intervention from Higgs.

Just after the hour mark, Jordan Williams beat the offside trap and made a good run beyond the home defence, but once again the on-loan Cardiff City man rose to the occasion, getting down well to keep the scores level.

Twelve minutes from time, some good vision from Smith sent Rhys Hughes away down the right. The summer signing looked up and cut the ball back for the arriving Davies, but the defender failed to hit the target with his first-time strike.

Higgs was called into action again in the 82nd minute, tipping a well-struck free-kick from Hughes away from goal, before the former Tranmere Rovers man volleyed wide from the edge of the area just moments later.

Williams again went close in the dying moments, but last season’s Golden Boot winner was left frustrated – with Higgs, once more, having the final say.

It ended 0-0 at the DragonBet Stadium, meaning the Saints were forced to settle for a point on the opening day, but it was a positive performance after a gruelling few weeks.

The New Saints are back in Novira Cymru Premier action this coming Friday (August 7th) when they welcome Haverfordwest County to Oswestry. Kick-off at Park Hall is scheduled for 7:45pm.