The New Saints complete a dramatic second-half comeback to claim maximum points against Penybont

Match Report

Goals: Pask (50), Brobbel (65), Redmond (88)
Yellow cards: Oteh (90)
Substitutions: Brobbel for Wilson (60), Cieslewicz for Clark (81), Holden for Baker (81)

Match report by Sam Wood
Lead image: Brian Jones

The New Saints completed a superb second-half comeback to defeat Penybont 3-2 at Park Hall.

Trailing 2-0 at the break, Craig Harrison’s side were left with plenty of work to do, but goals from Josh Pask and Danny Davies in the 50th and 65th minutes levelled proceedings.

With the game heading for a draw, two minutes from time, Danny Redmond scored a dramatic winner with a curling effort from the edge of the penalty area to move his side to within a point of the top.

With eight minutes on the clock, The New Saints almost broke the deadlock, but after connecting with Jordan Williams’ cross from the left, a point-blank Adam Przybek save denied Ash Baker.

In the 17th minute, Craig Harrison’s side had shouts for a penalty turned down following a challenge on Ben Clark by Przybek. Despite taking a long look at the incident, referee, Bryan Markham-Jones, allowed play to continue with a TNS corner.

Craig Harrison’s side continued to fashion chances throughout the first-half, and with 22 minutes on the clock, Clark went close with a curling effort from the edge of the penalty area.

Five minutes later, the deadlock was broken, although it was the visiting fans who were celebrating the goal.

After getting on the end of Nathan Wood’s searching forward pass, James Crole took the ball into his stride inside the penalty area, before drilling an effort past Connor Roberts at the near post.

Just four minutes later, disaster struck for The Saints, as the visitors doubled their advantage.

It was Crole the man on target again, as he controlled Wood’s cross with an excellent first touch on the edge of the six-yard box, before firing past Roberts on the turn.

The hosts could’ve hit back almost immediately with 32 minutes played, but Przybek raced out to deny Aramide Oteh and preserve his side’s advantage.

Going into the half-time break trailing by two goals, the JD Cymru Premier champions were left with work to do in the second, but they made the ideal start.

A free-kick from Clark on the left of the penalty area found the head of Josh Pask inside the box, and the former Coventry City pulled a goal back by sending a flicked header in off the far post. 

In the 56th minute, Roberts came to his side’s rescue, denying Crole with a strong right hand, before Wood’s follow-up effort was blocked by Pask.

The Wales C international needed to be alert again in the 63rd minute, as he made a key stop low down to his left to prevent a free-kick from Kane Owen from creeping in at the near post.

It proved to be an important save too, as just two minutes later, his side were back on terms.

Another cross from the left, this time from substitute, Ryan Brobbel, reached Danny Davies inside the six-yard box, and the number 22 turned the ball past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net with his head.

Both sides threw caution to the wind in the closing stages, knowing the importance of securing maximum points, but with chances few and far between, it looked like the points would be shared.

Two minutes from time though, captain, Danny Redmond, scored a dramatic winner, sending a curling effort through the crowded penalty area and into the far corner from just outside the penalty area to complete an unlikely turnaround.

The 3-2 victory moves The Saints to within a point of Penybont at the top of the JD Cymru Premier table, and they still hold a game in hand over Rhys Griffiths’ side.

It’s back to European action for The New Saints this coming Thursday (November 28th), as they take on Djurgården in the UEFA Conference League at The New Meadow, Shrewsbury.

Kick-off in that match is scheduled for 5:45pm and tickets can be purchased by clicking HERE.