A Happy New Year At The Rock – Cefn Druids 0-3 The New Saints FC

Match Report

It's an unchanged 11 for The New Saints in this afternoon's #JDWPL fixture against Cefn Druids. pic.twitter.com/ZOwF7hGiqP

— The New Saints FC (@tnsfc) January 1, 2019

Goals: Brobbel (15), Edwards (20, 77)
Substitutions: Draper for Byrne (72), Edwards for Hmami (79), Cieslewicz for Brobbel (83)

The New Saints moved to within two points of the JD Welsh Premier League summit, with another convincing victory against Cefn Druids.

First-half strikes from Ryan Brobbel and Aeron Edwards put Scott Ruscoe’s side in the ascendancy at the interval, before the latter made sure of the points with a 77^th minute goal.

The victory makes it three wins from three for The Saints, a run in which they’ve scored 14 goals without reply.

Lead image: Brian Jones.

 

First-half

After defeating Cefn Druids 7-0 on Boxing Day, Scott Ruscoe opted for an unchanged side this afternoon.

With eight minutes played, Blaine Hudson was called into action, making a crucial interception as he prevented a Druids’ cross from the right with a diving header. The ball went out of play for a home corner, but the delivery came to nothing.

The deadlock was eventually broken in the 15^th minute. After being found in space just inside the Druids’ penalty area, Wednesday’s hat-trick hero, Ryan Brobbel took a great touch to take the ball into his stride, before he finished expertly in the bottom right corner of the goal. 1-0.

It took just five minutes for The Saints to double their advantage. Danny Redmond split the defence brilliantly with a long, searching pass, and Aeron Edwards timed his run to perfection, latching onto the ball and beating Michael Jones low to the left this time.

Scott Ruscoe’s side came so close to a third goal with 27 minutes gone. Kurtis Byrne trapped the ball well in the penalty area before taking a shot at goal. His initial effort was blocked by the defender but it fell at his feet once more. This time around, the Irish striker fired a volley just wide of the right post.

Second-half

The opening 10 minutes of the second period were much quieter, as both sides struggled to get going following the half-time interval.

The first chance did fall to a TNS man though. With 58 minutes played, the ball dropped to the feet of Kurtis Byrne on the edge of the penalty area. On the run, the number 21 fired a first-time effort at goal, but unfortunately from a TNS perspective, it drifted just the wrong side of the post.

Cefn Druids did have shouts for a penalty in the 70^th minute. A coming together in the area between Redmond and James Davies resulting in anger from the home supporters, although there were few complaints from those out on the pitch.

With Druids starting to grow into the match in the final 20 minutes, Paul Harrison showed great bravery to race off his line and punch clear a dangerous free-kick. The Saints’ captain was clattered in the process and did receive treatment, but he was soon back on his feet, ready to resume the game.

The Saints did however, put the game to bed with 77 minutes played. A deep free-kick taken by Danny Redmond was met on the volley by Aeron Edwards at the back post, and the number 23 made no mistake to get a toe to the ball and grab his second of the game.

Substitute, Greg Draper, had the chance to add a fourth for The Saints in the 86^th minute. He picked up the ball in the centre of the pitch, with plenty of space around him, though he could only drive an effort into the palms of Jones. That proved to be The Saints’ final chance of a match in which Scott Ruscoe’s side made further pursuits in their bid to reclaim the title.

Another strong Saints' showing, as they secure another #JDWPL victory against Cefn Druids. pic.twitter.com/fuLu6uFJZ1

— The New Saints FC (@tnsfc) January 1, 2019