The New Saints 2-1 Penybont: Saints remain top after edging past Penybont

The New Saints came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory over Penybont at Park Hall in the JD Cymru Premier.

Ryan Harrington cancelled out Benjamin Ahmun’s opener, while Ashley Evans put through his own net to give the league leaders the win.

TNS were unchanged from their 4-0 midweek win at Newtown, with Greg Draper starting two consecutive games for the first time this season. Penybont made two changes from their 1-0 home win over Cardiff Met. Goalscorer Lewis Harling and Kostya Georgievsky dropped to the bench, and were replaced by Ian Traylor and Oliver Dalton.

Penybont started the brighter of the two teams with Traylor turning and shooting low on Harrison’s goal with just two minutes on the clock. Three minutes later, they were in front when Benjamin Ahmun found himself in acres of space to fire past Harrison for the lead.

The visitors had a chance to double their lead with Traylor again threatening, this time his effort flew wide of the post.

A minute later, TNS finally recorded their first shot at goal with Danny Redmond firing over from outside the box.

TNS were level when Penybont failed to deal with a corner kick. Redmond got the ball back into the danger zone and centre back Ryan Harrington forced the ball into the net.

A minute later Ben Clark’s cross nearly dipped under the bar and Ashley Morris was forced to tip it behind for a corner, which Greg Draper headed over the bar.

Towards the half-hour mark the home side were in front when Ashley Evans diverted Ryan Astles’ through ball past his own keeper.

The remainder of the half descended into a midfield battle which TNS won without managing to break down a well organised Penybont defence. Draper, though, had a golden opportunity to double his side’s lead on the stroke of half time when he fired a cut back over from twelve yards out.

Much of the second half was a non event with both sides enjoying spells of midfield dominance but not managing to convert pressure into chances. Each were restricted to speculative efforts from outside the box which posed no threat to either keeper.

The game sparked to life in the last quarter to when substitute Sam Snaith forced a point blank range from Harrison at his near post. The resulting corner fell to Georgievsky, who headed wide of the target.

TNS immediately went up the other end and the ball fell to the usually reliable Draper, but the New Zealand international failed to hit the target with his last contribution of the game. He made way to Dean Ebbe moments later.

Robles forced a good near post save from Morris as time wore on but the Saints have the assistant referee’s flag to thank for all three points. Sam Snaith popped up with another header in stoppage time, again Harrison saved from point blank range but the ball ricocheted in off goal scorer Harrington for an apparent equaliser. However, it was not to be as Snaith was adjudged to be offside as the game came to a close with TNS remaining top of the table.

See how the New Saints claimed victory over Penybont here: