The New Saints defeat Haverfordwest County 2-0 to get season up and running

Match Report

https://twitter.com/tnsfc/status/2085784193649258815?s=20

Goals: Lock (45+3), Hughes [P] (72)
Yellow cards: Nolan (86)
Substitutions: Brobbel for Smith (72), Jefferies for Lock (84), B. Wilson for J. Williams (84)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: James Baylis/FAW

The New Saints defeated Haverfordwest County 2-0 at Park Hall to pick up their first win of the new Novira Cymru Premier season.

Josh Lock opened the scoring for the defending champions on the stroke of half-time, before summer signing Rhys Hughes doubled the advantage from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute.

The Saints could’ve arguably had more goals on the night, and probably would’ve done too were it not for some heroics from Ifan Knott in the visiting goal.

The Saints had a golden chance to make the breakthrough in the 16th minute when Jordan Williams met Josh Lock’s cross on the edge of the six-yard box.

Despite getting his head to the ball, his effort was straight at visiting goalkeeper Ifan Knott, who pulled off a comfortable save to deny him.

Three minutes later, Dan Williams tried his luck from the edge of the penalty area, but his powerful strike was again easy to deal with.

The visitors had their first foray forward with 20 gone, with Greg Walters sending a curling effort wide from distance.

In the 28th minute, a portion of the crowd thought the Saints had taken the lead following a long-range shot from Dynel Simeu. Despite their celebrations, the ball hit the side netting, however, and the Bluebirds survived with their clean sheet intact.

Knott in the visitors’ goal continued to perform heroics, with further saves from Jordan Williams and Leo Smith to maintain order at Park Hall.

In the third of three added minutes at the end of the first half though, the pressure finally told, as Josh Lock spun with the ball inside the penalty area and sent a powerful effort into the far corner to make the score 1-0.

Craig Harrison’s side picked up where they left off following the restart, with Danny Davies going close at the back post in the 50th minute.

Searching for a second of the night, Lock sent a curling effort wide of the target six minutes later as the Novira Cymru Premier champions continued to dictate proceedings.

Things did get better for the Saints in the 72nd minute, when referee Ryan Kenny awarded the home side a penalty after the ball struck the hand of a home defender.

Summer signing Rhys Hughes stepped up to take it, firing past Knott and into the bottom corner, despite the Haverfordwest goalkeeper guessing the right way.

Tony Pennock’s side could’ve pulled one back with 78 minutes on the clock, but Nathan Shepperd was out quickly to deny substitute Ben Ahmun.

With the remainder of the match heavily disrupted by further substitutions, chances were at a premium, meaning 2-0 was the full-time result.

It was a return to winning ways for the defending champions following their opening-day draw, and it leaves them in fifth place in the Novira Cymru Premier table.

The New Saints are back in action at Park Hall next Friday (August 14th) when they take on Briton Ferry Llansawel. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:45pm.