The New Saints reached the final of the SPFL Trust Trophy with a 1-0 victory away at Scottish League One side Falkirk on Saturday night.
Brad Young scored the only goal of the game, his 21st of the campaign in all competitions, in the 26th minute as Craig Harrison’s side continued their quest for a trophy quadruple this season.
Falkirk started the brighter side and Connor Roberts was called into action to push Callumn Morrison’s effort wide, but TNS soon settled into the game and Young forced a save out of home goalkeeper Nicky Hogarth.
The former Aston Villa man found the breakthrough soon after though, finishing from close range after Hogarth had produced a heroic double save to deny Danny Redmond.
While only holding a one-goal advantage, the Saints felt in control of the tie from that point on. Roberts and the defence in front of him, expertly led by skipper Chris Marriott, defended their lead well to see out the win.
The Saints will take on Scottish Championship side Airdrieonians in the SPFL Trust Trophy final on the weekend of 23-24 March at a venue to be confirmed in dur course.
They are only the second ever JD Cymru Premier side to reach the final and will aim to become the first to win it, after Connah’s Quay Nomads were beaten by Ross County in the 2019 showpiece.
“The lads defended really well,” Craig Harrison said on Sgorio. “Our game management was fantastic, we were really good in possession and took the opportunity we had. I thought we were fully deserved winners.
“We knew the first 20 minutes was going to be frenetic and really tough. We just had to hang in there and as long as we got through the first 20 minutes, I believed we could control the game. After 20 minutes, we kept the ball, passed it really well and managed the game really well.”
“It was a tough evening,” goalscoring Young added. “They are a tough side who had me chasing around quite a bit so I was cramping up, but I am over the moon with the goal and to get through to the final. We have got a really good togetherness as a team so we want to win everything we possibly can.
“It has been an exciting season for me, so I can’t wait [for the final]. I have come here to win games, win trophies and score goals.”
Lead image: Brian Jones
