Dan Williams’ superstrike maintains The New Saints’ 100% start to the season

Match Report

Goals: D. Williams (79)
Yellow cards: Smith (33), Chris Seargeant (64), D. Davies (90), Roberts (90+3)
Substitutions: Roscrow for McManus (52), Canavan for Clark (87)

Match report by Sam Wood

The New Saints maintained their 100% start to the season with a 1-0 victory away against Pontypridd United.

On a difficult afternoon in South Wales, it was a 79th minute goal from permanent summer signing, Dan Williams, that wrapped up the three points for Craig Harrison’s men.

As a result, the champions returned to the summit of the JD Cymru Premier and made it three straight wins in all competitions.

It was The New Saints who started the brightest, and with eight minutes on the clock, Jordan Williams had an effort blocked inside the penalty area.

Seven minutes later, Craig Harrison’s side were threatening again, but home goalkeeper, George Ratcliffe, pulled off a superb double save to deny both Leo Smith and Declan McManus.

Then it was the turn of Ben Clark to try his luck, but the number 19 failed to hit the target from just outside the box.

The academy graduate went closer still to breaking the deadlock on the half-hour mark with a dipping effort from the left of the penalty area, before Ryan Astles headed wide following a corner.

Having dominated the majority of the opening half, TNS started the second period brightly too.

After a superb Ryan Astles pass, Leo Smith could’ve broken the deadlock on 49 minutes, but it was Ratcliffe again who came to the rescue, denying the Wales C international with a diving save.

Just a minute later, Ben Ahmun put the ball into the back of the net for the home side, but his celebrations were short-lived, as the assistant referee raised the offside flag.

The JD Cymru Premier champions were dealt a blow in the 52nd minute when striker Declan McManus was forced off through injury, and for the first time in the match, the Dragons sensed an opening.

Not long after, Owain Jones called Connor Roberts into action for the first time with a well-struck free-kick, but the TNS number 25 dived to his right to gather the ball comfortably. 

Despite surrendering most of the ball, the South Wales side continued to defend resolutely throughout the game, but there was an opening for Danny Davies at the back post on 66 minutes.

Continuing his impressive form though, former Cardiff City man Ratcliffe pulled off yet another stop.

Time looked to be running out for the team from Park Hall, but in the 79th minute, up stepped summer signing, Dan Williams.

Collecting the ball on the edge of the penalty area, the number 14 created spaced for a shot, before firing an effort through the crowded box and into the far corner of the net.

Five minutes later, Williams went for goal again, but was denied by the impressive Ratcliffe on that occasion.

Despite a couple of late scares throughout seven minutes of additional time, The Saints held out for the remaining minutes and picked up three points to send them back to the top of the table.

Next up for Craig Harrison’s side is a home match against newly-promoted Barry Town United at Park Hall next Saturday.