The New Saints snatch all three points against Newtown after late Park Hall drama

Match Report

Goals: Oteh (63), Pask (90+9)
Substitutions: Cieslewicz for Marshall (57), Bradley for Wilson (57), Oteh for Holden (57), Clark for J. Williams (57)

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

There was late drama at Park Hall, as The New Saints scored a stoppage time winner to secure all three points against Newtown.

Initially falling behind with just 70 seconds on the clock, Craig Harrison’s equalised midway through the second-half through Aramide Oteh.

With the Robins defending resolutely, it looked like the points would be shared, but Josh Pask popped up to head home the winning goal in the ninth minute of stoppage time to secure all three points for his side.

It was the worst possible start for the JD Cymru Premier champions, as Newtown took the lead with just 70 seconds on the clock.

A short backpass from Harrison McGahey presented Jason Oswell with an opportunity, and the visiting striker made no mistake in poking the ball past Connor Roberts to break the deadlock.

With 21 minutes on the clock, The Saints could’ve hit back when Ryan Brobbel’s cross almost reached Jordan Williams at the back post. Former TNS-man, Ryan Pryce, made a vital interception, however, turning the ball behind for a corner.

Nine minutes later, visiting goalkeeper, Samuel Ussher came to his side’s rescue, pulling off a superb double save, first to deny Jordan Marshall, and then the follow-up from Jordan Williams.

In the third of four first-half added minutes, Ussher made another vital stop, pushing a headed effort from Adam Wilson to safety at full stretch, before denying the on loan Bradford City man again just seconds later.

With 53 minutes gone, things almost went from bad to worse for The Saints following a fast Newtown counter-attack, but the eventual effort from Zeli Ismael skimmed the crossbar.

Turning to his bench, head coach, Craig Harrison, made a rare quadruple substitution as he looked to change his side’s on-pitch fortunes

It didn’t take long for changes to pay off either, as just six minutes after his introduction, Aramide Oteh fired home an equaliser after the ball feel fortuitously on the edge of the six-yard box.

Seemingly content with a point, the visitors continued to sit back as the half progressed, and another of the substitutes, Sion Bradley, thought he’d won it for his side in the 88th minute.

The former Caernarfon Town man ran off celebrating after believing his close-range effort had crossed the line, but the linesman on the far side failed to raise his flag.

Newtown had a chance of their own to win it in the sixth of nine stoppage time minutes, but Roberts made an important save at full stretch to keep out a powerful header from Jason Oswell.

That wasn’t the end of the drama either, as The Saints pulled off the late, late show to snatch all three points in dramatic fashion.

After a scramble in the box, Josh Pask headed home Brobbel’s cross from just inside the six-yard box in the ninth minute of stoppage time to complete the comeback and maintain his side’s lead at the top of the JD Cymru Premier table.

For the first time in 16 weeks, Harrison’s side don’t have a midweek fixture, so they return to action in the capital next Saturday (January 11).

They take on Cardiff Metropolitan University in their final phase one fixture, and will be looking to continue their momentum to record a fifth consecutive victory.