The New Saints make it back-to-back wins with a 3-0 victory against Connah’s Quay Nomads

Match Report

https://twitter.com/tnsfc/status/1958949176873820576

Goals: Williams (6, 80), Wilson (32)
Yellow cards: Corness (44)
Substitutions: Charles for Wilson (72), D. Davies for Corness (72), Cieslewicz for Clark (72), Oteh for Holden (87), Phillips for Brobbel (90+2)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Craig Thomas/FAW

The New Saints made it back-to-back victories after defeating Connah’s Quay Nomads 3-0 at Park Hall.

A Jordan Williams brace, either side of superb Ben Wilson header, made it a comfortable evening for the JD Cymru Premier champions.

Craig Harrison’s side climb one place into third thanks to tonight’s results, but remain one point behind current leaders Caernarfon Town. 

It took just six minutes for The New Saints to make the breakthrough at Park Hall, with the opener arriving courtesy of a Connah’s Quay Nomads mistake.

Capitalising on Dan Cowan’s short backpass, Ben Wilson squared the ball across the penalty area for Jordan Williams, giving the former Stockport County the opportunity to fire home into an empty net.

After a brief lull in action, the defending champions upped the ante and called visiting goalkeeper Kit Margetson called into action twice in quick succession.

The Nomads’ number one first parried an effort from Rory Holden to safety in the 21st minute, before pushing a powerful Dan Williams strike behind for a corner less than 60 seconds later.

Craig Harrison’s side were eventually rewarded for their pressure though with 32 minutes on the clock.

Getting his head to an inviting cross from Ryan Brobbel, summer signing Wilson flicked the ball towards goal with superb technique, catching the goalkeeper off guard and finding the bottom corner.

Trailing 2-0 at the break, John Disney’s side started the second-half strongly and had several opportunities to get themselves back into the game.

Making three saves in the space of six minutes, denying Callum Bratley, Max Woodcock and then Bratley again, the TNS number one was kept busy between the sticks, but on each occasion, was equal to the challenge posed.

With 65 minutes played, there was a great chance for Wilson to put the match to bed after racing onto Ben Clark’s long forward ball.

Opting for a chipped effort when one-on-one with the goalkeeper, the ball had power but lacked direction, falling the wrong side of the post as far as his side were concerned.

With 15 minutes to play, it looked like the Nomads would be given the chance to reduce the deficit from the penalty spot following a foul on Woodcock by substitute Adrian Cieslewicz.

After initially awarding the spot kick, following consultation with his assistant, referee Rob Jenkins overturned the decision due to an offside in the build-up, however.

And in the 80th minute, Harrison’s side were finally on target again, with Jordan Williams scoring his second of the night.

Cutting inside from the right, the number 17 beat two defenders on the edge of the penalty area before bending the ball past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

In the end, it proved to be a comfortable evening for the defending champions, as they made it back-to-back JD Cymru Premier victories at Park Hall.

The Saints’ don’t have have to wait too long before their next league fixture, as they travel to newly-promoted Colwyn Bay on Monday (August 25th).

Kick-off at the Blue Turtle Arena is scheduled for 2:30pm.