The New Saints Go Five Points Clear In The JD Cymru Premier After Late Drama At Park Hall

Match Report

Goals: Clark (30), Pemberton [O.G.] (63), (Hudson 90+1)
Substitutions: Draper for Boateng (60), Rees for Ebbe (86), Spender for Harrington (86)

Match report by Sam Wood

There was late drama at Park Hall, as The New Saints snatched all three points with just minutes to spare against Haverfordwest County.

After falling behind twice, Scott Ruscoe’s side showed great resolve to get back on terms, before Blaine Hudson popped up in stoppage time to earn the win in dramatic fashion.

The victory means that The Saints now have a five point cushion at the top of the JD Cymru Premier, having made up their game in hand this weekend.

The New Saints were on the front foot from the first whistle and Adrian Cieslewicz sent an early effort narrowly wide of the post with just two minutes played.

Ben Clark was also able to work space for a shot on the edge of the box, but it was a comfortable save for the goalkeeper, although his side continued to ask all of the questions.

But despite all of the early pressure, it was the visitors, Haverfordwest County, who made the breakthrough. With 12 minutes played, Corey Shephard split The Saints defence with a well-timed ball and Jack Wilson capitalised, sending a well placed finish past the outrushing Harrison to make it 1-0.

It was a setback, but it didn’t deter Scott Ruscoe’s side, who continued to fashion chances and both Leo Smith and Louis Robles had efforts blocked by the defence in the minutes that followed.

With half an hour played though, The New Saints hauled themselves back on terms and it was Ben Clark who continued his recent scoring from.

Meeting a Harrington cross from the right, the number 19 sent a powerful header into the back of the net, giving the goalkeeper no chance, to level proceedings.

The visitors thought they’d retaken the lead in the 37th minute, as Ricky Watts tapped home Mark Jones’ rebound, but it was ruled out for offside and the sides went into the break level.

Haverfordwest started the second-half well and Harrison needed to be alert to pull of an acrobatic save to deny Kieran Lewis in minute 47.

However, The Saints regained composure and Leo Smith went close with a free-kick, as both sides continued to go at each other in an end-to-end game.

But with 52 minutes played, disaster struck for the home side, as referee, Cheryl Foster, awarded the visitors a penalty. On-loan Cardiff City man, Danny Williams, stepped up and dispatched it perfectly, restoring his side’s lead in the match.

All of a sudden The Saints were back under pressure and both Cieslewicz and Clark went close, the latter seeing his header cleared off the line, as they went in search of another equaliser.

And with 63 minutes played, it arrived courtesy of an own goal by Sean Pemberton. Marriott’s free-kick was whipped in from the far side and it was the Haverfordwest County captain who got the unfortunate touch, diverting it past his own goalkeeper, to bring the scores level once more.

Chances continued to fall the way of both teams and both Wilson and Ryan Astles forced saves from the goalkeepers at either end.

And when Blaine Hudson sent a header narrowly wide of the post in the 89th minute, it was starting to look like both sides would have to settle for a point.

But with just two minutes of stoppage time to go, visiting goalkeeper, Matthew Turner, spilled a Leo Smith cross straight into the path of the number 12, who made no mistake this time around, as he drilled the ball into the back of the net to snatch all three points for his side, sparking wild celebrations amongst his teammates.