Three Without Reply As Saints Extend Lead At The Top

Match Report

The New Saints of Oswestry Town 3 Connah’s Quay Nomads 0

Goals: Mullan (2), Brobbel (13), Routledge (77)

Substitutions: Edwards for Fletcher, Parry for Brobbel, Darlington for Draper

Yellow card: Routledge (50)

 

Following a two-week enforced break due to the adverse weather conditions, it was business as usual for Scott Ruscoe’s side as Connah’s Quay Nomads were the visitors to Park Hall.

The seven changes from the JD Welsh Cup victory against Penrhyncoch had no influence on the fluidity of the play, as TNS dominated from the off.

Hitting the ground running, the current JD WPL champions got off to the perfect start as a pass into the box found Mullan, who slotted past Danby at close range.

On what proved to be a rare excursion into the Saint’s penalty area during the first period, the visitors almost grabbed an equaliser in bizarre circumstances, as a ball into the box from Woolfe was sliced with Hudson attempting to clear. Fortunately for the defender, his goalkeeper was in the right place at the right time, as Harrison maintained the status quo of the early goal.

Unlucky for the Nomads but certainly not for The New Saints, Brobbel doubled the lead in the thirteenth minute. On the end of a ball played in by Marriott, the ex-Middlesbrough man twisted and turned before firing past Danby.

The home side threatened to extend the lead even further but Hudson was not able to connect properly with a ball in from Holland.

Minutes later Draper almost caught Danby napping, but the keeper was one step ahead, as the striker closed him down.

The New Zealand international also had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for offside. In another attempt, as the clock ticked down and turning in the box, the striker fired straight at the man in orange.

However, it was Andy Morrison’s side who almost pulled one back in the dying embers of the first period. Shooting from outside the box, Woolfe rattled the crossbar, as a few inches of structure ensured that the reigning champions went into the break with a two-goal cushion.

The halftime team talk worked for Connah’s Quay, as we saw a different team take to the field – not literally but certainly in approach and passion.

Not quite an off-the-line block, but nevertheless just as impressive was Rawlinson’s clearance, as although Harrison was unable to get to the shot it couldn’t beat the defender’s head.

Continuing to push, a free-kick from the right saw Oyenuga’s ball in headed over by second half substitute, Michael Bakare.

In the 75th minute, an effort from Poole was pushed away by Harrison, as the Nomads’ man shot from the right inside the box.

Just two minutes later though it was game, set and match, as the impressive Routledge switched the ball to his favoured foot in the penalty area, with his shot finding the back of the net.

Before being substituted, nifty footwork from Draper set up Holland, only for the tenacious, ex-Manchester City midfielder see his attempt go wide.

Not giving up the ghost, the visitors continued in their attempt to score what would have been no more than a consolation goal and in added time a Woolfe cross was met by Wilde the former TNS striker. His header was straight at Harrison though who ensured another clean sheet for The New Saints.

 

Photograph gallery. Credit: Brian Jones