Five-Star Performance, As The New Saints Bounce Back In Style

Match Report

Goals: Ebbe (5, 29), Routledge (26), Cieslewicz [p] (49), Roscrow (72)
Substitutions: Roscrow for Cieslewicz (65), Robles for Ebbe (65), Draper for Marriott (73), Smith for Spender (73), Canavan for Routledge (86)

Match report by Stewart Bloor

Prior to kick-off, there was a one-minute applause for Bill Jerman, the former Oswestry Town chairman, who sadly passed away this week.

Looking to get back on track after Saturday’s Bridge Meadow disappointment, The New Saints got off to the perfect start, as they took the lead in the fifth minute.

Simon Spender’s ball in from the right was met, in the penalty area, by Dean Ebbe. Although Michael Jones made contact with the shot, he couldn’t prevent it from hitting the back of the net.

Six minutes later, the Irishman again forced Jones into action, this time the ‘keeper held the ball at the second attempt.

At the one-third stage of the first period, a Chris Marriott corner from the right was met by Ryan Astles. His powerful header, unfortunately, was just over the bar.

Continuing to push for the second goal, a low strike from the edge of the box saw Ben Clark’s effort go just wide.

In the 26^th minute, a shot from Adrian Cieslewicz – making his 150^th top-flight appearance – saw his shot saved by Jones, only for Jon Routledge to accurately place the ball into the net.

It was 3-0 three minutes later, this time Ben Clark the provider, as Ebbe chipped the ‘keeper inside the penalty area.

Still battling away, a rare excursion into the TNS half saw Niall Flint force Paul Harrison into a great save, as he pushed away a goal-bound shot.

Half-time: The New Saints FC 3 Cefn Druids 0

Just four minutes into the second period, following a handball in the area from a Danny Redmond shot, Cieslewicz tucked the resultant penalty away, low to Jones’ right.

In the 59^th minute, following a foul in the area, The New Saints were awarded a second penalty. Ebbe picked himself up from the deck, only to see Jones save his kick.

On as a substitute in the second-half, Adam Roscrow opened his goal account with TNS, as he tucked away a through ball from Routledge cleanly into the back of the net to make it 5-0.

The final substitution of the evening saw Jake Canavan make his debut from the bench, as he replaced Routledge with five minutes to go of normal time.

Five goals and a clean sheet ensured that TNS bounced back in style from the disappointment of Saturday’s defeat.

Full-time: The New Saints FC 5 Cefn Druids 0