The New Saints complete invincible JD Cymru Premier season following a 2-0 victory against Connah’s Quay Nomads

Match Report

Goals: Cieslewicz (88), K. Edwards [O.G.] (90)
Substitutions: Clark for Marshall (19), Cieslewicz for Baker (72)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Brian Jones

Following a 2-0 victory at home against Connah’s Quay Nomads, The New Saints have become the first team in over 25 years to complete an invincible JD Cymru Premier season.

A game in which chances were few and far between, The Saints had to wait until the 88th minute for Adrian Cieslewicz to break the deadlock, before a Kai Edwards own goal made sure of the result just two minutes later.

The match was a preview of things to come in next weekend’s JD Welsh Cup final, as the two sides do battle again at Newport County’s Rodney Parade.

It was an evenly matched start to the game, but it was the visitors who had the better of the chances in the early stages.

With 10 minutes on the clock, an important piece of defending from Ash Baker prevented Harry Franklin from breaking the deadlock, as the number 24 slid in to block a powerful strike.

Just three minutes later, Baker was involved at the other end, but his first-time shot from the edge of the penalty area was high over Andy Firth’s crossbar.

Chances were few and far between for both sides throughout the first-half, but in the 37th minute, Rory Holden went close with an effort from 18 yards.

However, just a minute later, Craig Harrison’s side thought they’d broken the deadlock when Brad Young turned the ball home following Jordan Williams’ cross from the right.

Despite initially wheeling away in celebration, the goal was disallowed by referee, Cheryl Foster, following consultation with her assistant, due to an adjudged handball in the build-up.

The sides went into the half-time break with nothing to separate them, but just five minutes into the second-half, the Nomads has another good chance to take the lead.

After good vision from Franklin, Jack Kenny went one-on-one with Connor Roberts, but the JD Cymru Premier Golden Glove winner dived bravely at the feet of the attacker, injuring himself in the process, but collected the ball at the second time of asking.

In the 55th minute, Jordan Williams sent a driven effort into the side netting, but Harrison’s side contained to find testing Firth a difficult task.

Brad Young went close again for The Saints with 75 minutes on the clock, curling wide from the edge of the penalty area, and at that stage, the game was beginning to look destined to end level.

The league leaders were still determined to make the breakthrough though, and three minutes later, Leo Smith fired wide from distance, before Williams went close with a curling effort.

Just two minutes before the 90, however, Harrison’s side finally got their reward, when substitute, Adrian Cieslewicz, smashed home the opening goal.

Cutting inside from the right, the Polish winger beat Firth at his near post with a powerful strike to give his side a deserved advantage.

Things got even better for The Saints just two minutes later too, as Kai Edwards headed past his own goalkeeper, doubling the hosts’ advantage, and helped ensure that TNS would end the season without a single defeat.

In doing so, Craig Harrison’s side have become just the second side to complete an invincible JD Cymru Premier campaign, equalling the achievement of Barry Town United in the 1997/98 season, and remain on course for an unprecedented unbeaten domestic treble.

Standing in their way will be Connah’s Quay Nomads again, as the two sides do battle in the JD Welsh Cup final at Newport County’s Rodney Parade next Sunday (5:25pm kick-off).