Nose in front at Jenner Park
With Ryan Brobbel hitting the post in the 15th minute, the writing was on the wall, and just four minutes later the deadlock was broken when Brad Young found the back of the net.
What a quality goal it was as well, as the ex-Aston Villa striker collected the ball deep in his own half, used his strength and power to shrug off challenges, raced through and calmly beat the ‘keeper in a one-on-one at the other end.
However, that remained the score at the break, with the league leaders just ahead.
Not in the script, or was it?
The next goal wasn’t in the script, as Barry Town United equalised seventeen minutes after the restart.
Or was was it? After all, we are very familiar with this scenario.
It’s happened several times over the years and we only have to go back to August this year, when the Linnets scored two very late goals to salvage a point at Park Hall.
Back on track in style
However, on this occasion, Ollie Hulbert’s goal inspired the visitors and within three minutes we were back in front, as Danny Davies guided in a Ryan Brobbel free-kick.
In the 73rd minute Brad Young had scored his second, and by the time he completed his hat-trick with three to go, Brobbel and Josh Daniels had also found the net as well.
It was perhaps disappointing that Hulbert scored a second very late in the encounter to make it 6-2, but by then the points had been secured and the memories of JD Cymru Premier MD3 back in August had been well and truly put to bed.
Brad Young’s first hat-trick
We’ve already mentioned it but it deserves a slot of its own. Brad Young’s hat-trick, that is.
To say that he’s hit the ground running since signing for The New Saints is putting it mildly. When you consider that he didn’t even have a personal pre-season campaign, it makes it even more of a positive.
This was his first hat-trick, and without tempting fate, no doubt the first of many more in a TNS shirt.
After scoring twice at both Cardiff Met FC and Penybont, it was most definitely a case of third-time lucky, as they say, at Jenner Park.
Seventeen games unbeaten
As well as the impressive run of form in the JD Cymru Premier, progression in the JD Welsh Cup, Nathaniel MG Cup and SPFL Trust Trophy means that the win against Barry Town United takes us to seventeen games unbeaten in all competitions.
However, nothing has been won yet and that will be the focus of Craig Harrison, Chris Seargeant and the squad.
From a fan’s perspective though, there’s certainly plenty to get excited about at the moment. A quadruple come the end of the season? What do you think?
Lead image courtesy of Perry Dobbins
