The New Saints reach the JD Welsh Cup semi-finals following a 5-0 victory against Airbus UK Broughton

Match Report

Goals: Clark (26), Smith (43), Bradley (58), Clarke (74)
Substitutions: Wilson for J. Williams (59), Holden for Marshall (59), Phillips for D. Williams (68), Oteh for Clark (68)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Nik Mesney/FAW

The New Saints booked their place in the semi-finals of the JD Welsh Cup following a 5-0 victory against Airbus UK Broughton.

Ben Clark, Leo Smith, Sion Bradley and Zack Clarke were all on target at Park Hall, with Airbus defender Kieran Evans also heading past his own goalkeeper.

It was a comfortable afternoon for Craig Harrison’s side, who in truth probably should’ve scored more goals, but their bid for a first domestic treble since 2016 remains very much alive.   

It was a good start by The Saints, and they had a couple of chances to break the deadlock inside the opening 10 minutes.

With five minutes gone, visiting goalkeeper, Keighan Jones, got down well to deny Ben Clark, before Dan Williams fired narrowly wide a few moments later.

In the 20th minute, January signing, Zack Clarke, caused problems down the left, and Jones could only parry his powerful effort.

Fortunately for him, Nathan Williams got back to hook the ball clear, and the danger for the Wingmakers was averted.

The deadlock was finally broken at Park Hall six minutes later though. Ben Clark fired home at the first time of asking from the edge of the six-yard box after a surging run from Marshall down the wing.

Craig Harrison’s side could’ve had a second goal in the 34th minute, but Jones pulled off an important double save, first denying Sion Bradley, then Clark, to keep the score 1-0.

Two minutes before the break, however, the JD Cymru Premier leaders did double their advantage.

A through ball from Clarke set Leo Smith on his way, and the Wales C international rounded the goalkeeper, before slotting home a left-footed effort.

The visitors almost hit back two minutes after the restart following a mistake at the back, but Airbus man, Daniel Collins, fired wide from just outside the box.

There was a mistake at the other end of the pitch a couple of minutes later, and unfortunately for Mark Allen’s side, it resulted in a goal.

Jordan Marshall’s searching forward ball was headed past his own goalkeeper by Kieran Evans, giving The Saints a three-goal and unassailable lead in the game.

It was 4-0 in the 58th minute following a mazy run from Sion Bradley. After taking the ball around three Airbus defenders, the former Caernarfon Town man fired beneath Jones from eight yards out to score his 10th goal of the season.

The Saints scored again in the 74th minute, and it was Zack Clarke on target with his head.

Rising highest in the penalty area to turn home Bradley’s free-kick from the left, the number 23 scored his first goal in a green and white shirt after a number of close calls earlier in the contest.

Despite causing numerous problems in the final quarter of an hour, Harrison’s side were unable to add to their advantage, and 5-0 is how the quarter-final tie finished at Park Hall.

The New Saints are back in league action this coming Friday (February 21st), as they travel to face Bala Town. Kick-off at Maes Tegid is scheduled for 7:45pm.