The New Saints 3-3 Cardiff Metropolitan University: Archers and Saints play to six goal thriller on final day
Cardiff Metropolitan University were pipped to fifth spot by Cefn Druids after they drew with League Champions, The New Saints at Park Hall.
Both Dr Christian Edwards and Scott Ruscoe rang the changes, with both opting to rotate their side in the final day of the season show piece.
Should the Connah’s Quay Nomads win the JD Welsh Cup, the Archers will host Barry Town United in the play-off semi final. However if Aberystwyth Town have Welsh Cup success, they will play the Cefn Druids at The Rock.
TNS started on the front foot creating some early opportunities to take the lead at Park Hall but they were denied by some great goalkeeping from Harri Lloyd after some shots by striker Kevin Kauber and midfielder Ryan Brobbel who forced the goalkeeper into making some crucial saves within the first few minutes.
The hosts found their breakthrough early on from Estonian striker Kevin Kauber who composedly finished from six yards out after a great ball from Ryan Brobel. TNS added their second of the game just three minutes later through Kauber again who finished into the bottom corner from a fantastic cross from full back Simon Spender.
Meanwhile the Met had a golden chance to pull a goal back after a brilliant run and cross from Jordan Lahm after he delivered a delicious ball to the feet of Adam Roscrow who was forced to take his shot first time which was only diverted over the crossbar. The New Saints found themselves 2-0 up within the first seven minutes. What a start it was to the JD Welsh Premier League Champions.
The away side who pulled a goal back. Joel Edwards the scorer after an audacious volley which found itself neatly into the back of the TNS net past goalkeeper Paul Harrison. TNS lead was to be short lived as the Met found an equaliser from Jordan Lam who finished past Harrison after going through a crowd of saints defenders.
The second half started different to the first as it was Cardiff Met who were on front foot surging to take the lead as they knew a win would take them to a European Play Off Final should the Connah’s Quay Nomads win the JD Welsh Cup. It was the Met who then took the lead after their dominance through Adam Roscrow who finished past Harrison from a deflection.
The visitors continued to threaten and after 68 minutes Ben Clark collected the ball at the edge who hit a strong shot but it blazed over the bar leaving goalkeeper Harri Lloyd unworried.
TNS then found an equaliser from a quality strike from midfielder Ryan Brobbel who finished into the bottom corner past Lloyd. Suddenly The New Saints thought they’d snatched it right at the death, as Kauber put the ball in the net in the third minute of stoppage time, but unfortunately for him the assistants flag was raised denying Kauber his hat-trick.
(Featured Image: Brian Jones of The New Saints FC)
