Saints End Season 12 Points Clear At The Top – The New Saints 1-0 Connah’s Quay Nomads

Match Report

Goals: Draper (23)
Yellow cards: Holland (67)
Substitutions: Ebbe for Draper (67), Holland for Cieslewicz (75), Whitehouse for Mullan (80)

The New Saints ended the season 12 points clear in the JD Welsh Premier League table, after beating Connah’s Quay Nomads 1-0 at Park Hall tonight.

Greg Draper’s 23^rd minute penalty was the difference between the sides, in a game which provided a dress rehearsal for next weekend’s JD Welsh Cup final.

First-half

It was a lively start to the match, with both sides going close inside the opening minutes. After spotting Lewis Brass off his line, Greg Draper saw an audacious lob from 20 yards fall the wrong side of the post.

Down the other end, Priestly Farquharson showed good speed as he spun away from Kane Lewis in the penalty area, before getting a shot away. Chris Marriott was there to block though, and the ball was scrambled clear.

The game continued in its cagey fashion as the half drew on, with neither side establishing a foothold, but Scott Ruscoe’s team had a golden chance to take the lead with 18 minutes gone.

After being played in by Tom Holland, Jamie Mullan saw his driven shot from the edge of the six-yard-box deflect of the leg of a visiting defender, before flashing across the face of goal.

The deadlock was eventually broken with 23 minutes gone though. A clumsy challenge on Holland in the penalty area sent the number four to the floor, with referee Dean John pointing to the spot.

It was Greg Draper who stepped up, expertly dispatching the penalty in off the crossbar, scoring his 36^th goal in all competitions, and giving his side a 1-0 lead.

A quiet first-half at Park Hall sees The New Saints leading Connah's Quay Nomads 1-0 at the break. Greg Draper's 23rd minute penalty is the difference. #JDWPL

— The New Saints FC (@tnsfc) April 26, 2019

Second-half

The Saints started the second period the brightest and Nomads’ John Disney made a vital interception for his side, cutting out Brobbel’s ball across the box which was destined for Draper.

Andy Morrison’s side remained very much in the game though, winning a couple or corners in quick succession. Blaine Hudson made sure they came to nothing, clearing the danger with his head on both occasions.

And it was the visitors who saw the best chance of the half fall their way with 79 minutes on the clock. After being spotted by Declan Poole, the ball reached Michael Bakare in the penalty area. The midfielder had a free header, but couldn’t keep it on target, as the ball went high over the crossbar

But TNS continued to push forward in search of their 100^th goal of the season, with several players having the chance to score.

After working space for the shot, Brobbel sent the ball wide of Brass’ post with a powerful effort from distance, before Cieslewicz fired wide following Marriott’s pass.

It wasn’t to be for The Saints though, who despite pressing as the match wore on, had to settle for 99 goals for the season.

The New Saints end their #JDWPL season win a 1-0 victory against Connah's Quay Nomads. Greg Draper's 23rd minute penalty made the difference.

The sides do it all over again in the JD Welsh Cup final next weekend.

— The New Saints FC (@tnsfc) April 26, 2019