The New Saints put one hand on the JD Cymru Premier trophy after a 2-0 win over Caernarfon Town

Match Report

Goals: Bradley (90+4)
Substitutions: Redmond for Brobbel (46), Clark for Oteh (70), Wilson for Marshall (70), Bradley for Clark (84)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Brian Jones

The New Saints moved to within a point of the JD Cymru Premier title following a 2-0 victory against Caernarfon Town.

There were goals in stoppage time at the end of each half, with Phil Mooney turning the ball past his own goalkeeper in the first, before Sion Bradley wrapped up the points with just a minute to play in the second.

It was an 11th consecutive league win for the leaders, and they could be mathematically confirmed as champions for a fourth consecutive season as soon as Friday should Penybont fail to secure victory against Cardiff Met University.

Craig Harrison’s side made a strong start to the game, and with nine minutes on the clock, they thought they’d broken the deadlock.

Although Rory Holden’s cross was turned home by Jack Bodenham, referee Huw Jones brought play back for a handball in the build-up, and the match remained goalless.

With 24 minutes played, visiting goalkeeper Ben Hughes came to his side’s rescue, pulling off a superb one-handed save to push a powerful strike from Jordan Williams behind for a corner.

Ten minutes later, Craig Harrison’s side had another opening, but Ryan Brobbel’s long-range effort was gathered at the second attempt by the Caernarfon goalkeeper.

In the 38th minute, the visitors had a good chance to take the lead, but after an inviting corner from Joe Faux, nobody in a yellow shirt was able to connect with the ball at the back post.

Just before the interval, The Saints thought they should’ve had a penalty when Brobbel went down under challenge inside the box, but despite their appeals, play continued.

In the first minute of first-half stoppage time, however, the league leaders were finally rewarded, as Phil Mooney turned Brobbel’s cross past his own goalkeeper to give The Saints the lead.

The hosts continued to fashion chances following the restart, and Hughes needed to be alert again in the 54th minute to deny Jordan Williams.

Four minutes later, Holden got into a good position down the left flank, but there was slightly too much power on his cross in Ben Clark’s direction.

With 12 minutes to go, substitute Zack Clarke could’ve put the game to bed as he connected with Jordan Williams’ cross from the left, but the ball came at the January signing quickly, and his volleyed effort was high over the crossbar.

In the 83rd minute, Ben Clark had another chance to wrap up the points, but the Academy graduate’s effort from the edge of the box was narrowly wide of the right post.

Harrison’s side did eventually double their advantage in the fourth minute of stoppage time, however, with Sion Bradley the man on target.

After Holden split the defence with a superb through ball, the former Caernarfon man was left one-on-one with the goalkeeper, and he made no mistake in slotting the ball home to score his 11th goal of the season.

The 2-0 victory means The Saints now need just one more point to win the JD Cymru Premier title for a record-extending 17th time, although they could be crowned champions as soon as Friday should Penybont fail to beat Cardiff Met University.

It’s JD Welsh Cup action up next for The New Saints, however, as they take on Cambrian United in the semi-final on Sunday. Kick-off at Aberystwyth Town’s Park Avenue is scheduled for 12:45pm.