Tough start for Saints as Briton Ferry Llansawel claim opening day victory

Match Report

https://twitter.com/tnsfc/status/1954522519970431460

Yellow cards: D. Williams (89)
Substitutions: Wilson for J. Owen (46), Redmond for Marshall (63), Oteh for Charles (66), J. Williams for Corness (74)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Brian Jones

The New Saints fell to defeat on the opening day of the JD Cymru Premier season, losing 3-0 at home against Briton Ferry Llansawel.

Despite a positive start from the defending champions, aa Ruben Davies brace, plus an acrobatic finish from Thomas Walters, condemned the Saints to a first opening day defeat since 2017.

Things took a while to get going at Park Hall, but in the 16th minute, Ryan Brobbel caused the visiting defence problems for the first time with some good footwork.

Beating two defenders inside the penalty area, the Northern Ireland U21’s international’s eventual effort was blocked by Tom Price, however, and the ball was cleared.

Two minutes later, an inviting cross from Jordan Marshall created more issues for the Ferry, and Jack Fanning came to his side’s rescue, clearing Jacob Owen’s header off the line.

With 31 minutes on the clock, Craig Harrison’s side were in again after another surging run down the left from Marshall.

Cutting the ball back towards the waiting Ken Charles, but the former St Albans City man failed to hit the target with his effort.

Down the other end, there was a let off for the Saints in the 33rd minute when Jacob Owen was caught in possession, but after a scramble inside the box, Nathan Shepperd turned Ruben Davies’ eventual effort behind for a corner.

The visitors would be the ones to strike first though. Eight minutes before the break, Davies was left unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box, allowing him to comfortably head home Keiran Williams’ cross to make the score 1-0.

Trailing at the break, Harrison’s side came out for the second-half quickly, with both Dan Williams and Brobbel having efforts blocked inside the penalty area.

But it was Andy Dyer’s side who scored the game’s second goal and took a firm grip on proceedings.

Stealing the ball on the edge of the penalty, a fast counter-attack by the team from South Wales resulted in Thomas Walters acrobatically converting Ryan George’s cross from the edge of the six-yard box.

Turning to his bench to try and find a way back into the game, Harrison introduced all of Danny Redmond, Aramide Oteh and Jordan Williams, but it could do little to alter the outcome of the game.

Less than 60 seconds after the latter’s introduction, a mis-hit clearance from Nathan Shepperd gifted Davies with an opportunity, and he made no mistake in firing home to make the score 3-0 with 15 minutes to play.

All in all, it was a day to forget for the defending champions, but with 31 games of the new campaign still to play, there’s plenty of time to put things right between now and the end of the season.

The Saints return to action next Saturday (August 16th), when they travel to the DragonBet Stadium to face Penybont. Kick-off in that match is scheduled for 5:15pm.