TNS EGDE HOME IN A CUP DRESS REHEARSAL
THE New Saints struck a huge psychological blow ahead of the JD Welsh Cup final by beating fellow finalists Penybont 2-1 in the JD Cymru Championship Conference.
It was a fourth successive defeat for Rhys Griffiths’ hosts and came after they had had the perfect start with a goal form Ben Ahmun after only six minutes at the SDM Glass Stadium.
That forced the champions to come out and play right and Ryan Brobbel levelled matters in the 21st minute. It was Brobbel at the double in the second half when he smashed home a ball teed up for him by Leo Smith in the 56th minute.
“It wasn’t exactly a full dress-rehearsal for the Cup final because we changed a few things around and they were missing a few key personnel,” said Brobbel.
“It wasn’t a great start for us because they exploited a long ball and scored after only six minutes. We then got to grips with the game and I was able to guide the ball into the corner after a great cross.
“The second goal came after some great work by Leo and after that I was chasing the hattrick.”
Having only won once in their previous four games it was a return to their previous form for TNS and just the tonic they needed before the next clash with Penybont at the Cardiff City Stadium in the cup final on May 1.
Bala Town and Newtown are still locked together in the race for the second automatic Europa League slot for next season after they both came up with 1-0 wins. Bala made life difficult for themselves at Flint Town United when they had Antony Kay sent off in the 62nd minute.
His dismissal came 12 minutes after Nathan Peate had given them the lead and they were forced to hang on from there on. Newtown, meanwhile, had Fumpa Mwande to thank for their 1-0 home win over
Caernarfon Town.
It was his third goal in Phase
2 of the tournament and made it back-to-back goals in vital wins over Penybont and Caernarfon. The Lakesiders and the Robins now clash in Bala on Friday in a massive game that could see one of them leap ahead after being tied on 50 points.
In the Play-Off Conference, there is still little to separate Connah’s
Quay Nomads and Barry Town United in the battle to avoid finishing one off the bottom. Cefn Druids have already been confirmed as one of two possible relegation sides.
The FAW decision on Tier 1 licenses last week might well let off the other relegation candidate, with no team in the JD Cymru South now capable of going up, but neither Connah’s Quay nor Barry want to be in that position.
The Nomads made life difficult for themselves when George Horan picked up a red card after conceding a penalty. Kayne McLaggon stepped up to give his side an added time lead at the end of the first half in the same way he had done four days earlier against top of the group
Cardiff Met in a vital 1-0 win.
Byron Harrison then earned the Nomads a draw with a 62nd minute strike than ensured they maintained their unbeaten record in Phase Two after being hit with a 15-point penalty.
Cardiff Met fought out a 1-1 home draw with
Aberystwyth Town, while
Haverfordwest County hit Cefn Druids for six in a 6-1 win.
Llantwit Major put the disappointment of not being granted an RAW Tier 1 Licence earlier in the week firmly behind them as they came from behind to beat Cambrian & Clydach Vale 2-1 in the JD Cymru South league.
It was another giant step towards winning the biggest title in their 60-year history and kept them five points clear of Pontypridd Town, who won 2-1 at home the previous night against Trefelin. With only three games to play.
But unlike North winners, Airbus UK Broughton, the southern champions won’t be able to go up into the JD Cymru Premier League.
Cambrian took the lead through Ceri Morgan on 55 minutes before the Major’s top scorer, Tom Walters, then levelled matters from the penalty spot with his 23rd of the season just after the hour mark before Tony Rawlings grabbed the glory.
Ian Traylor gave Ponty an early lead against Trefelin and then Sam Johnson doubled the advantage with his 19th league goal of the season. Treflin kept plugging away and set-up a nervy final few minutes after Ceri Williams replied late on.