The New Saints sit at the top of the JD Cymru Premier table for the first time this season after a 2-1 home win over Connah’s Quay Nomads on New Year’s Eve.
All of the goals came in a 10-minute period in the first half, with Ryan Brobbel finding the opener for the Saints just before the half hour mark as he cut in from the left, jinked his way past Ben Nash and curled a superb effort into the bottom corner.
Noah Edwards got the Nomads back level almost instantly as he fired home a loose ball in the box after Rhys Hughes’ corner was not dealt with, but the Saints were back in front six minutes later as Jordan Williams’ strike from the edge of the area squirmed under George Ratcliffe.
The Nomads’ hopes of a comeback were made harder in first half stoppage time as Jack Kenny received a straight red card following an altercation with Williams and a goalless second half ensured the reigning champions ended the year with victory.
The Saints’ place at the top of the standings was consolidated as Penybont were held to a 2-2 draw by Cardiff Met at the SDM Glass Stadium in the late kick-off on New Year’s Eve.
Bont appeared to be in control of the game as they were 2-0 up after 48 minutes thanks to a brace from 16-year-old Ioan Phillips, who was making only his second league start of the campaign.
The teenager opened the scoring after 16 minutes with a fierce strike across goal, before he doubled the advantage early in the second half when he slid the ball in on the goal line after Chris Venables had flicked on Kane Owen’s corner.
However, Met halved the deficit just after the hour mark when Joe Woodiwiss’ foul on ex-Bont man Ryan Reynolds inside the box allowed CJ Craven to step up to score from the penalty spot, before substitute Tom Vincent found the equaliser seven minutes later as his deflected volley from the edge of the area flew over Adam Przybek.
Penybont now trail TNS by one point in the title race, while Met’s place in the top six looks all but assured barring a hefty goal difference swing on the final day of Phase One.
Elsewhere on New Year’s Eve, the clash between Bala Town and Caernarfon Town at Maes Tegid was abandoned at half-time – with the score goalless – as referee Nick Pratt believed the adverse weather conditions caused concern for possible player injury. The fixture has been rearranged to be played in its entirety on Friday 3 January (19:45).
Meanwhile, Briton Ferry Llansawel and Barry Town United played out a 0-0 draw in front of an impressive 1,384 crowd at Old Road.
The first major chance of the match fell to Ferry forward Luke Bowen, who had his powerful header from close range cleared off the line by Ben Margetson.
Moments after Bowen went close, Keenan Patten had a glorious opportunity for the visitors, but he was unable to find the back of the net when one-on-one with goalkeeper Will Fuller.
Patten could have perhaps had a hat-trick but Fuller was on hand to keep him out twice more, while visiting goalkeeper Liam Armstrong also had to be alert to deny Caleb Demery a third goal in as many games.
That was the biggest JD Cymru Leagues crowd of the season, but only for 24 hours as a crowd of 1,486 watched on at Ogi Bridge Meadow as Haverfordwest County triumphed 1-0 over Aberystwyth Town on New Year’s Day.
The Bluebirds made their long-awaited return to Pembrokeshire, having not played at Ogi Bridge Meadow since April due to a new 3G playing surface being laid. Dan Hawkins provided the perfect homecoming present with his goal on 39 minutes, as he headed home after Corey Shephard’s free-kick struck the crossbar.
Tony Pennock’s side saw out their 12th league clean sheet of the season in the second half to ensure victory, which confirmed their place in the JD Cymru Premier top six for the first time since the league’s restructure over a decade ago.
It was a fourth consecutive away defeat for Aberystwyth, who remain bottom of the table and are now five points adrift of safety.
Flint Town United climbed out of the relegation zone and up to ninth in the table with a 2-0 home win over 10-man Newtown, who are now 10th and fully embroiled in the fight for survival.
After a goalless first half at the Essity Stadium, Newtown almost found the breakthrough early in the second period when Zeli Ismail’s curling free-kick from the edge of the area rattled the crossbar.
However, it would be Flint who eventually grabbed the opener in the 53rd minute when Jake Phillips latched onto goalkeeper Jack Flint’s long ball and sent a delightful first time lob over Sam Ussher.
The afternoon got worse for Newtown on the hour the mark when Jolyon Harries was shown a straight red card for a dangerous tackle on Ben Hughes.
Flint took full control of the match after Harries’ dismissal and Mikey Burke wrapped up victory in the 87thminute by capitalizing on a tame headed clearance from Ussher and firing into an empty net.
Latest results in full:
Bala Town A-A Caernarfon Town
Briton Ferry Llansawel 0-0 Barry Town United
The New Saints 2-1 Connah’s Quay Nomads
Penybont 2-2 Cardiff Met
Flint Town United 2-0 Newtown
Haverfordwest County 1-0 Aberystwyth Town
