The New Saints make it four wins from four at USW Sport Park

Match Report

Goals: McManus (29), Brobbel (69)
Substitutions: Daniels for D. Davies (19), J. Williams for Cieslewicz (62), Canavan for Clark (82), Smith for Brobbel (82)
Yellow cards: Routledge (30)

Match report by Sam Wood

The New Saints made it four wins from four against Pontypridd United at USW Sport Park this afternoon.

After Declan McManus had opened the scoring from the penalty spot with 29 minutes on the clock, Ryan Brobbel wrapped up the points with a goal of his own 21 minutes from time.

The win keeps The Saints top of the JD Cymru Premier, as they look to continue building momentum towards their defence of the title.

There was an early chance for Craig Harrison’s side with just two minutes played, but Declan McManus failed to keep his effort on target after he was picked out by Ben Clark.

The Saints’ number nine was looking lively in the opening stages and could’ve broken the deadlock on two further occasions inside the opening 10 minutes.

With 15 minutes gone, Danny Davies tried his luck from distance, but the effort caused no trouble for Ashley Morris in the Pontypridd goal.

Down the other end, the home side enjoyed a rare opportunity, but Kieran Lewis couldn’t connect cleanly with his 23rd minute volleyed effort.

Four minutes later though, the opening goal finally arrived from the penalty spot, after a cross from Josh Daniels struck the arm of Oliver Dalton.

McManus stepped up to dispatch the ball confidently, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to slot into the left corner. And it could’ve been two for The Saints five minutes before the break, but Keston Davies failed to hit the target as he connected with Ryan Brobbel’s corner.

In stoppage time though, the hosts had the chance to grab the equaliser, but Lewis Twamley’s curling effort from the edge of the box caused no trouble for Connor Roberts.

Following the restart, there was another chance for Pontypridd to equalise from a corner of their own, but the referee awarded TNS a foul as they tried to bundle the ball home.

On the hour mark, Adrian Cieslewicz had a great chance to increase his team’s advantage, as he got the better of Joe Evans down the Pontypridd right.

He got his shot away, but it was a superb interception by Oli Dalton who slid in to clear the ball off the line.

Ben Clark then went close, before Ryan Brobbel eventually doubled the lead with 69 minutes on the clock.

The Northern Ireland under-21 international cut inside from the right of the penalty area, before curling the ball in off the far post with superb technique.

Harrison’s side were in control throughout the closing stages, but there was another rare chance for the Dragons with a minute of normal time to play.

Joe Hunt whipped the ball in from the left, looking to pick out Ben Ahmun in the middle, but the number nine failed to connect at full stretch.

Morris denied TNS a third with a couple of saves in stoppage time, but by then, the points were already in the bag, and The New Saints saw out the game for a fourth consecutive win.

Next up for the JD Cymru Premier champions is Haverfordwest County at home, with the Bluebirds visiting Park Hall next Saturday (September 10).