Late Holden goal makes it nine consecutive victories for The New Saints

Match Report

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Goals: Hughes (78), Holden (90+6)
Yellow cards: Young (32), D. Williams (45+1), Shepperd (76), Chris Seargeant (82)
Substitutions: Jefferies for J. Williams (71), Nolan for Corness (71), Holden for Young (79), A. Wilson for Lock (79)

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

The New Saints left it late, but Rory Holden’s stoppage-time strike helped seal a 2-1 victory against Llandudno.

It was a frustrating first half for Craig Harrison’s side, as they went in at the break trailing 1-0 despite a number of chances.

The visitors defended well following the restart, but late goals from Rhys Hughes and Holden secured all three points for the league leaders.

Things took a while to get going at Park Hall, with both sides struggling to get a grip on the game in its early stages.

In fact, it wasn’t until the 34th minute that the first chance finally arrived, when captain Danny Redmond made a good run down the left flank.

He looked up and picked out Brad Young with a well-placed cross, but the summer signing failed to get a clean connection on the ball, and it went behind for a goal kick.

Just moments later, Jordan Williams did well to create space inside the box, but after spinning with the ball, failed to hit the target with his left-footed effort.

With 37 minutes on the clock, another summer signing, Rhys Hughes, was looking lively, but after cutting inside from the left, his driven effort was narrowly wide of the near post.

In the first of five stoppage-time minutes, though, it was Jordan Hadaway’s side who made the breakthrough courtesy of Ben Maher.

After Dan Williams was dispossessed in midfield, the ball broke kindly for the number 16, who proceeded to curl a long-range strike beyond the reach of Nathan Shepperd and into the back of the net.

Following the restart, there was a scare for substitute and former TNS man Nick Grogan, when referee Ryan Kenny was called to the pitchside monitor for a potential red card.

After initially showing the number 15 a yellow following a foul on Josh Lock, the referee elected to stick with the on-field decision after reviewing the replay, and the Seasiders continued with 11 men.

With 56 minutes played, there was a good chance for the Saints to equalise when Brad Young made a well-timed run in behind the defence.

He cut the ball back across the box for the arriving Jordan Williams, but a last-ditch challenge from Kieran Lloyd prevented the Novira Cymru Premier Player of the Season from making the score 1-1.

Craig Harrison’s side continued their search for an equaliser, and in the 65th minute, it looked like they’d got themselves back on terms following a scramble inside the penalty area.

The ball was eventually turned home at the back post by Lock, but after initially wheeling away in celebration, the Academy graduate looked to his right to see the offside flag raised.

Twelve minutes from time, however, the league leaders finally got their reward, as the equalising goal arrived courtesy of Rhys Hughes.

After some good footwork from Dan Williams, his initial effort was parried by the goalkeeper, but Hughes was in the right place at the right time to turn home the rebound at the back post.

And things would get better yet for the defending champions, as they snatched what would prove to be the winning goal in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time.

It was great vision from Redmond, as he threaded the ball through for substitute Rory Holden to fire home from the edge of the six-yard box.

Craig Harrison’s side were made to work hard for the three points, but that’s now nine consecutive league victories, and four points clear at the top of the Novira Cymru Premier table.

The Saints are back in action next Saturday (September 26th) when they travel to newly-promoted Trefelin BGC. Kick-off in South Wales is scheduled for 2:30pm.