Conwy Borough 0-1 The New Saints: Ebbe nets only goal as Saints edge through
The New Saints are into the hat for the last 16 draw of the Welsh Cup after narrowly edging out tier two Conwy Borough at Y Morfa
The New Saints who are the current holders of the Welsh Cup dominated throughout but found it hard to create clear chances. In the end a headed goal from a corner for Ebbe was enough to see them through to the next round.
After an even start, the first chance of the game fell to Declan McManus. He was found in the box, got the ball out of his feet, and fired just wide of the mark.
McManus was involved yet again a few minutes later. With his back to goal, he received the ball, spun the defender, and unleashed a powerful shot that rattled the crossbar.
The New Saints looked very strong down the left-hand side with numerous crosses being drilled across the box. Luckily for Borough no one got on the end of those crosses.
The first glimpse of goal for the home side came just before the half hour mark. A long ball from the goalkeeper reached McGonigle who struck his shot early into the goalkeeper’s hands.
Borough had another half chance not long after as a free kick was glanced wide.
The breakthough was made with ten to play in the first half. For all Borough’s defensive efforr it was a corner that caused the issue on this occasion. A good ball in from the left-hand side found the head of Ebbe who glanced the ball down and into the back of the Borough net.
Despite not being used to the playing surface, the visitors adapted well and continued to play their usual style of football. Brobbel and Ebbe combined well just before half time which led to Brobbel getting a strike at goal, saved by Crowther.
The second half started very quietly with little chances. The New Saints were very organsied in defence and were very effective in stopping any counter attacks from Borough.
Brobbel produced some brilliant skill with 20 to go rounding a few defenders before getting a shot off that was blocked.
It was Clark’s turn to show some skill not long after. Taking the ball down well he then lobbed Kian Owen, cut inside on his left foot, and shot wide.
Conwy Borough were nearly level in the last few minutes. Connor Davies created space for himself in the box and hit a quick shot. It looked certain to find the bottom corner, but Connor Roberts got down and saved, turning the ball out for a corner.
The resulting corner was looped towards the back post. Borough won the header and got the ball back in the mix. A shot was fired towards goal with shouts of handball across Y Morfa as TNS scrambled to clear. In the end they managed to clear, promopting the referee to blow the final whistle to put an end to Borough’s cup run.
Full time: Conwy Borough 0-1 The New Saints
Conwy Borough: Rory Crowther, Ben Lockley(87’), Iolo Hughes (C), Nathan Williams, Sean Mcaffery, Conor Davies, Craig Whelan, Meilir Williams (56’), Corrig McGonigle, Kian Owen, Robert Jones (80’).
Subs: H.Lockley(87’),A.Roberts,C.Williams (56’) ,S.Ahmed,S.Earl-Jones(80’)
Yellow cards:Crowther 67’,Hughes,McCaffery 67’
The New Saints: Connor Roberts, Keston Davies, Ryan Astles,Jonathan Routledge,Dean Ebbe,Ryan Brobbel,Declan McManus (90+2’), Danny Redmond, Ben Clark, Daniel Davies (69’), Jake Canavan(79’).
Subs:J.Williams(90+2’), L.Robles,L.Smith (79’), M.Daykin,Tom Holland(69’)
Goal: Ebbe 35’
Yellow Cards: Clark, McManus
