Cieslewicz and Nadin fire The New Saints into the Nathaniel MG Cup semi-finals

Match Report

https://twitter.com/tnsfc/status/1985780579518865642

Goals: Cieslewicz (50), Nadin (79, 86)
Substitutions: Craig for Marshall (73), Jefferies for Phillips (73), Wynne for Corness (82)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Sam Eaden/FAW

The New Saints booked their place in the semi-finals of the Nathaniel MG Cup with a 3–0 win against Caernarfon Town.

Craig Harrison’s side were made to wait until the 50th minute to break the deadlock, but captain Adrian Cieslewicz stepped up with a well-taken close-range finish.

Jack Nadin then struck twice to seal the victory, as the Saints extended their winning run to 13 matches in all competitions.

It was a bright start from The New Saints, and it was they who had the first chance of the match with just two minutes on the clock.

Cutting inside from the right, Louis Phillips tried his luck from just outside the box, with the effort going narrowly over Connor Roberts’ crossbar.

With 27 minutes played, Craig Harrison’s side had another opportunity to break the deadlock when they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area following a foul on Ben Clark.

Dominic Corness stepped up to take it, but saw his effort come back off the right post before the ball was scrambled clear by the visiting defence.

The holders continued to push for the opener, with Josh Daniels having an effort blocked inside the penalty area four minutes before the break, and the returning Roberts denying Jack Nadin moments later.

Richard Davies’ side had their first chance of the night in the third minute of stoppage time, but goalkeeper Jack Edwards produced an acrobatic save to keep out an overhead effort from Sam Downey.

There was nothing to separate the sides come the half-time whistle, however, and they went into the dressing rooms with the score delicately poised.

In the 47th minute, the visitors went close again, with Adam Davies heading a free-kick narrowly wide of Jack Edwards’ right post.

Just three minutes later, though, the opening goal did eventually arrive – and it was the Saints who were celebrating it.

After an inviting cross from Josh Daniels was flicked on by Louis Phillips, captain-for-the-night Adrian Cieslewicz turned the ball past Roberts from inside the six-yard box to give his side a deserved lead at Park Hall.

With 69 minutes on the clock, Jordan Marshall went close to a second for TNS with a powerful shot from the left of the penalty area, but like Nadin in the first-half, it was narrowly over the crossbar.

Turning to his bench, Craig Harrison introduced both Kade Craig and Issac Jefferies, and it was the latter who almost made an instant impact in the 74th minute.

Racing onto Nadin’s through ball into the penalty area, the on-loan Cardiff City man took the effort at the first time of asking but failed to hit the target.

The JD Cymru Premier champions did put the match to bed four minutes later, though, as Nadin scored his side’s second of the night.

After a long-range effort from Ben Clark was well-saved by Roberts, the former Nottingham Forest man was on hand to stroke home the rebound from inside the six-yard box.

But Nadin wasn’t done there. In the 86th minute, he found space inside the penalty area to get on the end of Kade Craig’s cross, before sending a powerful first-time finish into the back of the net.

Recording a 3–0 victory, it was a professional performance from a much-changed Saints side, who secured their place in the semi-finals of the Nathaniel MG Cup in comfortable fashion.

The Saints are back in league action at Park Hall on Friday (November 7th) as they welcome Cardiff Met. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:45pm.