Penybont 0-3 The New Saints: Second-half performance ensures victory for title chasers

An assured second-half performance gave The New Saints a 3-0 victory over Penybont as they kept themselves involved in the race for the Cymru Premier title.

Two goals in the space of 12 minutes from Ben Clark and Ryan Brobbel followed by a 90th minute goal by Leo Smith ensured the three points for the Saints.

The win for Anthony Limbrick’s side means they remain two points behind league leaders Connah’s Quay Nomads with two games remaining.

The game was competitive from the start, with high tempo on display from both sides as the two both had their own motivations for victory.

Ryan Harrington’s wide shot was the first chance of the game. He was found by an Adrian Cieslewicz cross, but he didn’t connect clearly with the ball, and the chance was squandered.

Lewis Harling sliding tackle prevented Ryan Brobbel a shooting attempt from the edge of the box.

Penybont had two chances to take the lead in quick succession. The first came when Lewis Clutton crossed to Ioan Emanuel at the back post, whose header was saved dramatically by Paul Harrison. The second came when Mael Davies played Ben Ahmun through on goal, but he struck over from a difficult angle.

Ahmun was denied once again at the death of the first-half. He volleyed tamely at Harrison after being chipped through by Lewis Harling.

Clark had two opportunities to take the lead early after the break. His first was a goal-bound effort from range which was denied superbly by Ashley Morris. The next came when he shot on the half-volley inside the box, but it went over the crossbar.

Harrington provided an inch-perfect ball across the face of goal, but nobody was there to convert.

Clark made up for missed chances as he took the lead with a sweetly-struck left-footed attempt from range.

TNS’s lead was nearly extended minutes later, as Jamie Mullan fired over and wide from inside the box.

After soaking up Penybont pressure in the first-half, the visitors were rewarded for their continued pressure when Brobbel scored directly from a free-kick from close.

Clark forced another save from Morris with an on-target volley testing the goalkeeper.

In a chance to try and half the deficit, Benjamin Ahmun had the beating of two men but he was unable to turn home his shot as his effort went wide of the near post.

Ahmun’s teammate Kane Owen came close with a speculative volleyed-effort from range, but it flew narrowly wide of the post.

Penybont were unfortunate once again, with a Davies cross finding Sam Snaith at the back post, whose header across the face of goal was not turned it.

In stoppage time the Saints’ lead was further extended as half-time introduction Leo Smith rounded Morris before calmly slotting into the back of the net.

Penybont: Ashley Morris, Kane Owen (C), Dan Jefferies, Mael Davies, Kostya Georgievsky (Sam Snaith 73’), Lewis Harling, Ben Ahmun, Nathan Wood, Billy Borge, Lewis Clutton, Ioan Emanuel (Liam Walsh 71’).

Yellow Cards: Nathan Wood (47’), Mael Davies (68’)

The New Saints: Paul Harrison, Chris Marriott (C), Keston Davies, Jon Routledge, Ryan Brobbel (Josh Bailey 90’), Adrian Cieslewicz (Leo Smith 46’), Jamie Mullan, Ryan Harrington, Ryan Astles, Louis Robles, Ben Clark (Tom Holland).

Goals: Ben Clark (56’), Ryan Brobbel (68’), Leo Smith (90’)

Yellow Cards: Ben Clark (43’), Louis Robles (70’)

(Featured Image: Chwarae Sports Design)