The New Saints fall to defeat at the SDM Glass Stadium

Match Report

Goals: Wilson (43)
Yellow cards: Smith (22)
Substitutions: Clark for Cieslewicz (59), Hudson for Holden (75), Bradley for Redmond (90), Oteh for D. Williams (90)

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

The New Saints tasted defeat in the league for the first time in almost 600 days, as Penybont claimed a 2-1 victory at the SDM Glass Stadium.

After Clayton Green had headed the Bont into the lead with 13 minutes played, The Saints hit back just before the interval courtesy of Adam Wilson.

With chances limited in the second 45, it looked like the points would be shared in Bridgend, but substitute, Chris Venables, snatched a late winner with five minutes to go.

It was the home side who had the first chance of the game with six minutes on the clock, as the ball fell kindly to Clayton Green on the edge of the penalty area.

The Penybont number 29 struck his effort first time, but it cleared the crossbar and caused no trouble for Connor Roberts in the TNS goal.

Seven minutes later though, The Saints’ defence was breached, and it was Green involved again.

After connecting with Kane Owen’s cross on the edge of the six-yard box, the former Barry Town United man headed past Roberts and into the back of the net.

In the 24th minute, Rhys Griffiths’ side had a great chance to double their advantage, but after another good delivery from Owen, the header from Billy Borge went straight into the grateful arms of Roberts.

Three minutes later, the Wales C international came to his side’s rescue again, as he dived low down to his right to deny Borge once more.

After surviving the Penybont onslaught, Craig Harrison’s side began to grow into the game as the half progressed, and as a result, chances followed at the other end.

Josh Daniels and Jordan Williams both went close, but it was Adam Wilson who scored The Saints’ equaliser.

After receiving the ball from Holden, the on-loan Bradford City man bent the ball around Adam Przybek from the edge of the penalty area to level proceedings at a key moment in the game.

Picking up where they left off following the restart, The Saints continued to enjoy plenty of possession, and in the 47th minute, Jordan Williams tested the goalkeeper from the edge of the penalty area

On the hour mark, Harrison’s side were aggrieved not to be awarded a penalty for what they believed to be a foul on Danny Redmond by Borge.

Referee, Tom Owen, had a good view of the incident, however, and waved play on.

Goalmouth chances were much more limited in the second period, with both sides locked in a tense midfield battle, but with five minutes of the 90 to play, it was the hosts who snatched the winning goal.

Substitute, Chris Venables, was the quickest to react to Nathan Wood’s cross from the right, and after getting goal side of Danny Davies inside the six-yard box, the forward turned the ball past Roberts with his head.

In the first minute of stoppage time, Wilson thought he’d scored a dramatic equaliser as he volleyed home at the back post following Sion Bradley’s corner, but the assistant referee quickly raised the offside flag over to his right.

The defeat at the SDM Glass Stadium was The Saints’ first in the league for 587 days (3-2 on the road against Cardiff Met), and leaves the defending champions eight points off the top with three games in hand against tonight’s opponents.

It’s back to Park Hall for Craig Harrison’s side on Tuesday, and they’ll be looking to get back to winning ways against Bala Town.