11-time Welsh Premier League Champions showed their class as they put in a professional performance to beat Barry Town United on their own turf.
Barry had the better of the opening chances but The New saints slowly grew into the game and Wes Fletcher’s tap-in was the difference between the two sides at the end of the day.
With the international break on the calendar for next week with Wales facing a crucial World Cup qualifier against Austria, the next set of fixtures will commence from the 7th of September.
The New Saints will look to make it three wins on the bounce when hosting Cefn Druids at Park Hall. Barry on the other hand will be looking to make amends, despite giving a good account of themselves when hosting Newtown at Jenner Park on the Saturday.
Match Report
Despite The New Saints starting the stronger of the two sides, it was the hosts who had the first real chance of the game through a dangerous counter-attack after tremendous work from Kayne McLaggon which allowed him to square it for Drew Fahiya, but his shot was well blocked by a New Saints body.
Barry looked a constant danger on the break and superb work from Ryan Newman allowed him to run free, but his pass was under standard and it allowed The New Saints goalkeeper Paul Harrison to collect comfortably.
However, despite Barry holding their own for most of the opening 20 minutes, they fell behind courtesy of a Wes Fletcher tap in following tremendous work from Jamie Mullan, who looked a constant threat for the visitors in the first-half.
Following the goal, The New Saints looked refreshed and relaxed with ball at feet, looking like the team who have been so successful over the past few years and you could tell they were the defending Champions of the Welsh Premier League.
The New Saints continued to pressurise the Barry back-line and the tall presence of Wes Fletcher was causing them problems as he flicked the ball onto Robbie Parry, but his effort was blazed over Lewis’ bar as the visitors went in search for their second goal of the game.
Although The New Saints went into the break leading at Jenner Park, Chesterfield would have been delighted with his side’s application and they had chances of their own through a few lapses in concentration from The New Saints back-line.
The New Saints started the second-half as they finished the first and at times, there was a real elegance about their attacking play as lovely combination play between Jamie Mullan and Aeron Edwards allowed the latter get a shot away but Lewis got down well to save comfortably from the midfielder’s shot.
However, Barry were determined to get back into the game as Chesterfield freshened things up by bringing on youngster Sam Jones and wonderful work from Kayne McLaggon down the left-hand side, allowed him to find Jones in the penalty area but his effort was well blocked by a New Saints body.
Callum Sainty was brought on for one final last throw of the dice to get an equaliser for the hosts and although they improved, another substitute in the form of Samuel Jones wasted his chance, as his effort floated past the post.
The hosts kept probing but it just wasn’t to be as The New Saints claimed their second three points of the season at Jenner Park in what was a tight affair between two really well-drilled sides.
Man Of The Match: Jamie Mullan (The New Saints)
A constant threat for the visitors. The pacy winger made a nuisance of himself all night and provided the assist for Wes Fletcher’s third goal in two games.
Another notable good performer for the visitors was Jon Routledge, who makes things tick over for The New Saints in the middle of the park – was at the heart of everything The New saints did.
Final Word
The New Saints showed their class without being absolutely brilliant in this encounter and at the end of the day it was Wes Fletcher’s tap-in which separated the two sides.
Barry played well in parts and certainly had chances of their own and it bodes well for Chesterfield’s side, especially going into their next game, where they will host Newtown after the international break.
However, it must be noted that at the end of the day, The New Saints’ class shone through and they dominated possession for large parts of the game.
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