Saints edge Bluebirds to move 11 points clear

Match Report

Goals: Clark (15), Brobbel (19), McManus (89)
Yellow cards: Astles (76)
Substitutions: McManus for Clark (59), Cieslewicz for Wilson (59), Baker for Smith (84)

Match report by Michael Davies
Lead Image: Brian Jones

The New Saints claimed their first home win of the new year with a 3-1 victory against Haverfordwest County.

Ben Clark and Ryan Brobbel netted in the first 45 minutes, before Ben Fawcett pulled one back for the Bluebirds midway through the second-half.

Substitute, Declan McManus, grabbed a third for The Saints late on to seal the three points.

The win moves Craig Harrison’s side 11 points clear at the top of the JD Cymru Premier.

Haverfordwest County could’ve taken the lead with just three minutes played, but the Bluebirds’ number 11, Jordan Davies, could only find the side netting with his effort.

The New Saints were on the attack straight after, with Adam Wilson hitting a powerful effort from outside the box, but the strike went over the crossbar.

Craig Harrison’s team took the lead in the 15th minute, as Danny Redmond played an excellent through ball into the feet of Ben Clark.

The midfielder proceeded to curl the ball into the top corner of the net, scoring his ninth goal of the season in the process.

The 14-time JD Cymru Premier champions scored a second just four minutes later, as Ryan Brobbel headed home from close range following a superb Redmond cross.

TNS came close to another in the 24th minute, as Brobbel whipped in a corner to Danny Davies. The defender headed the chance over the crossbar at the back post though.

Harrison’s side continued to knock on the door, with Brobbel hitting the post from 25 yards out on the 30-minute mark.

Another chance for the Park Hall side came in the 37th when Dan Williams played the ball to Wilson on the edge of the box.

The former Newcastle United man took the shot on the turn, forcing Zac Jones into an important diving save.

Just before the break, Leo Smith had an attempt from 20 yards out, but it posed no problems for the goalkeeper.

10 minutes after the restart, Jon Routledge forced Jones into a superb save, with the visiting goalkeeper pushing the ball to safety.

The resulting corner saw Brobbel whip the ball in, and Astles almost extended the advantage from the centre of the box.

Brobbel almost grabbed a second himself with 58 minutes on the clock, but couldn’t get a clean connection on the ball as he tried to get on the end of a right-sided cross.

Against the run of play, the Bluebirds hauled themselves back into the game in the 62nd minute, when Ben Fawcett capitalised on TNS defensive confusion to stab home from inside the six-yard box.

Looking to restore his side’s three-goal lead, Cieslewicz then hit a curled effort wide of the net with 10 minutes to play.

It was a nervy finish, but The Saints wrapped up the three points with a minute to play, when substitute, Declan McManus, picked out the far corner from the edge of the box.

The league leaders are back in action on Tuesday night (January 10), as they travel to Flint Town United.