Eight changes to the starting XI
There were eight changes to the team that made history last Thursday at Park Hall, as Craig Harrison utilised his squad, with just Connor Roberts, Dan Williams and Adam Wilson the players who bridged both games.
However, when you look at the line-up – never mind the ones on the bench – it certainly wasn’t a case of diluting the quality.
It’s all subjective, of course, but for most fans there would no doubt be a consensus of opinion that this is the strongest squad ever assembled at Park Hall.
Debut for Matthew Olosunde
It was great to see USA international, Matthew Olosunde, in from the off against Aberystwyth Town, as he made his senior competitive debut for the club.
His pedigree – which includes New York Red Bulls and Manchester United – speaks volumes and he’ll certainly be happy that he has graced the JD Cymru Premier stage for the first time.
With The New Saints enjoying lots of possession, prior to his substitution Olosunde spent a lot of time in the final third of the pitch, as he interacted well with the players around him on the right flank.
A well-organised opponent
With memories of the corresponding fixture from last season perhaps in their mind – which The New Saints won 6-0 – Aberystwyth Town came with a focused game plan.
The Seasiders were extremely well-drilled and they did their job right up to the 59th minute, when the deadlock was broken.
Even then, they continued to remain focused and it wasn’t until added time at the end, when the fixture was finally put beyond their reach.
Jordan Williams breaks the deadlock
We had to wait until almost the hour-mark before Dave Jones was finally beaten, when Jordan Williams got his name on the scoresheet.
With a corner from the left played into the six-yard box, an acrobatic overhead kick from the ex-Rochdale and Stockport County forward found the back of the net as Aber hearts were finally broken.
It was a cruel blow for the visitors but just rewards for Craig Harrison’s side, who had enjoyed the vast majority of possession.
The floodgates didn’t open
With the deadlock broken, many watching on would have expected more goals to follow in quick succession.
However, that wasn’t the case, and we had to wait until 90+1 before Jake Canavan – who scored a brace in last season’s victory – finally put the game beyond the reach of the visitors from Ceredigion.
The game could have been secured earlier, but Dave Jones saved an 80th minute penalty to keep his side still in with a chance at that time.
Come the final whistle though, most TNS FC fans would be happy with three points, two goals and a clean sheet.
Lead image: Andrew Donnison/F28.Online
