The New Saints 2-1 Barry Town United: Draper and Robles strike to maintain five-point lead

The New Saints defeat Barry Town United 2-1 to remain top of the league and unbeaten.

A goal from Louis Robles in the first half and one from Greg Draper in the second gave the home side a 2-0 lead, Nat Jarvis got a goal back for Barry later in the match but it wasn’t enough as TNS got a crucial victory at Park Hall.

Gavin Chesterfield’s team had the first opportunity of the game as Kayne McLaggon had a shot at goal in the 6^th minute, however Blaine Hudson was there to block the shot.

A couple of minutes later Town were on the attack again with Jordan Cotterill having a shot a goal, though Paul Harrison collected the ball comfortably.

The Linnets were knocking on the door once again in the 19^th minute when Kayne McLaggon kicked the ball at the home sides net as Paul Harrison Collected the ball easily.

A minute after TNS were having a go at the other side of the pitch with Greg Draper kicking the ball over his head from a corner but the ball went over the crossbar.

Thirty minutes into the game Chris Hugh whipped a dangerous ball across the box for the Dragons, though Paul Harrison managed to get on the end of the opportunity to keep the score goalless.  

In the 39^th minute Louis Robles broke the deadlock as he scored his 8^th JD Cymru Premier goal this season with the ball getting whipped in as Robles got his head on the chance to score past Michael Lewis net to make it 1-0 to TNS.

Into the second half, a ball from the Saints got whipped in the box with Cieslewicz inches away of getting his feet on the chance to send the ball into the Barry net.

Substitute Evan Prees had a shot for Town which went over the crossbar.

Cieslewicz had a shot inside the box which went completely wide of the goal.

Four minutes later the ball got crossed into the box through Leo Smith with Greg Draper heading at goal, only to be denied from a suburb save by Michael Lewis.

Paul Harrison made a great save of his own as Michael George had a shot in the penalty area, however, Harrison was there to meet it to get the ball away.

TNS doubled their lead as Robles ran down the right-hand side into the box and passed it back to Greg Draper who slotted the ball into the Barry net to equal Robles and get his eighth goal of the season.

The Linnets got a goal back not too long after as Chris Hugh crossed the ball into Nat Jarvis who scored past Harrison.

Gavin Chesterfield’s team pushed for an equaliser late on, however the Saints held firm to claim a vital three points.

TNS now travel to the Cyncoed Campus next week to play Cardiff Metropolitan.

Meanwhile Barry Town will be playing at home against Newtown.

The New Saints: Paul Harrison, Simon Spender, Chris Marriott (Ryan Harrington 31), Jon Routledge, Greg Draper (Dean Ebbe,82), Adrian Cieslewicz, Blaine Hudson, Ryan Astles, Louis Robles (Jamie Mullan,75), Leo Smith, Tom Holland.

Goals: Louis Robles 39, Greg Draper 72.

Barry Town United: Michael Lewis, Chris Hugh, Luke Cooper (Josh Graham,85), Kayne McLaggon, Nat Jarvis, Jordan Cotterill (Evan Prees,60), Luke Cummings, Theo Wharton, Curtis McDonald, Michael George, Clayton Green (Curtis Hutson,74).

Goals: Nat Jarvis, 78.

You can see how TNS defeated Barry Town in the blog below:

(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)