Saints in seventh heaven as they put European disappointment behind them against Airbus UK Broughton

Match Report

https://twitter.com/tnsfc/status/1951624932099830219

Goals: Phillips (34), Holden (39, 56), Wilson (67), Cieslewicz (71), Oteh (86, 88)
Substitutions: D. Williams for Phillips (46), Morris for Holden (74), Doforo for Cieslewicz (74)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Brian Jones

The New Saints put their European disappointment behind them with a 7-1 Nathaniel MG Cup victory against Airbus UK Broughton.

Louis Phillips and Rory Holden both found the net in the first-half, before a further strike from Holden, and goals from Ben Wilson, Adrian Cieslewicz and Aramide Oteh in the second made it a comfortable afternoon for Craig Harrison’s side.

Victory in the second round ensured the Saints got the defence of their treble off to the perfect possible start, with the third round draw of the competition set to be made later this week.

It was a composed start by the JD Cymru North visitors, and it was they who had the game’s first chance with nine minutes on the clock.

After a short corner routine, the ball reached Nathan Williams inside the penalty area, but the Airbus man’s hooked effort was headed off the line by Ryan Astles.

The Wingmakers’ pressure would prove to be short-lived, however, as with 16 minutes on the clock, Aramide Oteh drove his side forward for the first time.

After winning a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area, the former Walsall man stepped up to take it himself, forceing visiting goalkeeper Harry Davies into his first save of the afternoon.

In the 27th minute, Adrian Cieslewicz had a further chance to break the deadlock, but after creating space for a shot on the edge of the penalty area, his eventual effort was wide of the far post.

The holders continued to apply the pressure though, and with 34 minutes on the clock, they got their reward.

A long forward ball from Jake Canavan played Jack Nadin through on goal, and the former Nottingham Forest man selflessly laid the ball off for Louis Phillips to stroke home from eight yards out.

Things would get better for Craig Harrison’s side six minutes before the interval, as a free-kick taken by Rory Holden unsighted the goalkeeper to give his side a 2-0 half-time advantage.

Just two minutes after the restart, Ben Wilson had a great chance to add to his side’s lead, but he failed to hit the target when the ball fell his way inside the six-yard box.

With 56 minutes on the clock, however, the holders did score a third.

A good through ball from substitute Dan Williams reached Holden on the edge of the six-yard box, and the number 18 slotted past the outrushing Davies with his left foot.

After being denied by the goal keeper just 60 second earlier, Wilson made no mistake in the 67th minute, beating the defender with a good piece of skills before firing a first home at the near post to score his first goal for the club. 

Cieslewicz would then get in on the act with a finish of his own at the near post following a mazy run, before a quick-fire double from Aramide Oteh made the score 7-0 in favour of the JD Cymru Premier champions.

With just seconds remaining, the visitors did manage to grab a late consolation goal courtesy of substitute Sam Baker, but it came far too late to alter the eventual outcome of the match.

Booking their place in the third round of the Nathaniel MG Cup in comfortable fashion, Harrison’s side will now switch their focus to next weekend when their defence of the league title begins against Briton Ferry Llansawel.

Kick-off at Park Hall is scheduled for 2:30pm on Sunday, August 10th.