JD CYMRU PREMIER
NEWTOWN took full advantage of the points dropped by teams around them in the JD Cymru Premier league as their 1-0 home win over Caernarfon Town moved them into joint second place.
In the battle of the top two sides on Friday night, a 94th minute equaliser for Flint Town United stopped The New Saints from leaving the Essity Stadium with more than one point, while Barry Town United secured a point in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Bala Town.
The Robins struck in the second minute of added time at the end of the first-half at Latham Park when Callum Roberts set-up Fumpa Mwandwe for the only goal of the game. Newtown now have 19 points and are level with Flint, seven points behind the unbeaten TNS.
Kai Edwards picked the perfect time to score his first goal of the season as he popped up to lash home his late, late goal for Flint. Edwards ensured the home side made the most of their advantage of having an extra man after TNS lost Leo Smith to two yellow cards in the space of six minutes in the second half that forced them to play the final 22 minutes with 10 men.
Referee Iwan Griffiths’ decision to dismiss Smith at the Essity Stadium changed the course of the game. Up until Smith departed the league leaders were well in control, but it was backs to the wall stuff after that.
Considering we went down to 10 men quite early it was good to hold on for a point, although it was heartbreaking to concede in the 94th minute,” admitted TNS goal scorer, Ryan Astles.
“On the plus side, we’ve kept the unbeaten run going and we’ll move on to the next game. It was disappointing not to get the win because I don’t think they got out of their own half in the first half and on another day we could have been four or five goals up.
“Everything seemed to go against us. Their keeper made a good save, we hit the post and they scrambled well. When we went down to 10 men they gained a bit of confidence and started to throw men forward - it was a real turning point.”
Connah’s Quay Nomads must have thought they were on course for a first win in the league since 20 August when they saw Cardiff Met reduced to 10 men on the hour mark. Jamie Insall had given the reigning champions an early lead with a 14th minute goal and then the home side lost Kyle McCarthy to a second yellow.
But the students dug deep and in the fifth minute of added time they equalised with a goal from Brandon Roberts that made it eight league games in a row without a win for Craig Harrison’s men.
There was a six-goal thriller at Bala Town where Kayne McLaggon scored twice for Barry Town United in the second half to level things up at 3-3. His final goal came from the penalty spot in the 86th minute.
It was an eventful day for Lakesiders striker Lassana Mendes.
He scored twice in four minutes midway through the first half and then saw red in the fifth minute of added time. Callum Sainty pulled one back for Barry in the 35th minute before former Wales international David Edwards made it 3-1 at the break.
Jack Wilson was another late hero for Haverfordwest County as he hammered home the winner in added time to give his side a 2-1 home win over bottom of the table Cefn Druids. Emmanuel Akwa had given the Druids a first half lead and it took two goals from Wilson to win the game.
His first came in the 81st minute, moments after the visitors had been reduced to 10 men with a straight red card for Niall Flint.