Champions again! The New Saints lift a record-extending 18th JD Cymru Premier trophy following a 2-1 victory against Connah’s Quay Nomads

Match Report

Goals: J. Williams (48), Brobbel (50)
Yellow cards: Redmond (55), Farrell (61), Barton (82)
Substitutions: Smith for Corness (65), Davies for Farrell (65), Barton for Brobbel (70)

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

The New Saints secured a 2-1 victory against Connah’s Quay Nomads on the day they lifted a record-extending 18th JD Cymru Premier trophy.

After a goalless first-half, Craig Harrison’s side took control inside five minutes of the restart as Jordan Williams and Ryan Brobbel were both on target.

Abdi Sharif did grab a late consolation for the visitors, but it could do little to deny the Saints a second consecutive victory.

The visitors had the first chance of the afternoon with 10 minutes on the clock following a good ball from Harry Franklin.

The Nomads’ number 12 set Max Woodcock through on goal, but after driving into the penalty area, the striker could only drag the effort wide of the post.

In the 18th minute, there was another chance for the Nomads to make the breakthrough, but after trying his luck from just inside the box, Woodcock watched his effort come back out off the crossbar.

Down the other end, the Saints had their first foray forward with 29 gone when Eoin Farrell dispossessed Dan Cowan.

The ball eventually reached Ryan Brobbel on the edge of the penalty area, but the Northern Ireland under-21 international failed to test Kit Margetson in goal.

The sides went in level at the break following a half of few chances, but just three minutes into the second-half, Craig Harrison’s side made the breakthrough.

After being played through by Rory Holden, Jordan Williams surged into the penalty area, before sending a composed strike in off the far post to give his side a 1-0 advantage.

It was 2-0 in favour of the JD Cymru Premier champions just two minutes later, as an effort from Brobbel took a wicked deflection off Cowan to wrong-foot the goalkeeper, before nestling in the back of the net.

There was a chance for John Disney’s side to pull a goal back in the 56th minute, but Woodcock watched his free-kick from just outside the ‘D’ land on the roof of the net.

The Nomads’ goalkeeper was kept busy by the TNS forward line throughout the second period and pulled off a couple of important saves in the 60th and 64th minutes to first deny Jordan Williams and then Holden.

Ten minutes from time, the on-loan Swansea City man came to his side’s rescue again, getting down low to his left to keep out a first-time effort from Dan Williams.

Substitute Abdi Sharif did pull a goal back for the visitors in the 88th minute, but it could do little to deny the JD Cymru Premier champions a 2-1 victory on the day they lifted the trophy.

The Saints are back in action on Saturday, April 18th, playing their final game of the 2025/26 campaign on the road against Barry Town United.

Kick-off at Jenner Park is scheduled for 5:15pm.