The New Saints remain four points clear after a 3-1 win against Trefelin BGC

Match Report

Goals: Hughes (7), Holden (14), Young (61)
Yellow cards: Simeu (33)
Substitutions: Nolan for Simeu (64), A. Wilson for Lock (72), Jefferies for Corness (72), Farrell for Holden (79), Clark for Young (79)

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

The New Saints defeated Trefelin BGC 3-1 at Ynys Park to record a 10th consecutive Novira Cymru Premier victory.

Goals from Rhys Hughes and Rory Holden gave Craig Harrison’s side an early advantage, but the hosts hit back 10 minutes before the break through Jasper Jones.

Just after the hour mark, the league leaders made sure of the win, however, as Brad Young notched his second goal of the season to seal all three points in South Wales.

It was a good start by The New Saints, and it was they who were enjoying the bulk of the possession in the early stages.

With just seven minutes on the clock, they made their advantage count too, as Rhys Hughes connected with Josh Lock’s cross from the right and fired home the opener at the first time of asking.

The league leaders continued to look comfortable, and in the 14th minute, a second goal arrived.

Dominic Corness’ short corner eventually reached Rory Holden on the edge of the penalty area, and the former Port Vale man gave goalkeeper Scott Coughlin no chance whatsoever, as he smashed a powerful effort beyond his reach and into the top corner.

But despite Craig Harrison’s side enjoying all of the first-half chances, the home side hit back 10 minutes before the break.

After Dynel Simeu committed a foul on the edge of the penalty area, Kane Owen stepped up to take the resulting free kick, but watched his curling effort cannon back off the right post.

The ball dropped fortuitously for Trefelin, however, and Jasper Jones was on hand to bundle the loose ball home from close range and get his side right back into the game.

The sides went in at the break with the score at 2-1, but just seven minutes after the restart, Andy Hill’s side were threatening again.

After a cross from the right evaded everyone in the middle, the ball reached Tyler Brock at the back post, but Nathan Shepperd got down quickly to his right to deny the hosts’ number 10.

At the other end, home goalkeeper Coughlin came to his side’s rescue in the 61st minute, pulling off a superb one-handed save at full stretch to tip a powerful Danny Davies effort behind for a corner.

In the end, though, the save proved to be in vain, as from the resulting corner, the defending champions restored their two-goal advantage.

The delivery wasn’t dealt with by the defence, and after a Corness volley was initially parried by the goalkeeper, Brad Young was in the right place at the right time to fire home the loose ball and strengthen his side’s grip on the game.

Three minutes from time, substitute Ben Clark had the chance to make it four for the league leaders, but after the ball fell kindly on the edge of the six-yard box, the Academy graduate failed to keep his effort down.

As a result, it ended 3-1 in South Wales, with the Saints recording a 10th consecutive Novira Cymru Premier victory in the process.

Harrison’s side are back in action next Saturday (October 3rd), when they entertain another newly promoted side in Cambrian United. Kick-off at Park Hall is scheduled for 2:30pm.