The New Saints 5-1 Cefn Druids: Scintillating second-half sees Saints gap grow
OSWESTRY, WALES - 21 JANUARY 2022: The New Saints' Declan Mcmanus scores and celebrates the 1st goal of the game during the JD Cymru Premier league fixture between The New Saints F.C & Connah's Quay Nomads F.C at Park Hall Stadium, January 21st, 2022, Oswestry, Wales. (Pic By John Smith/FAW)
The New Saints went 19 points clear at the top of the JD Cymru Premier after they claimed a 5-1 victory over Cefn Druids.
All the goals came in the second forty-five, Jordan Williams got a brace with the other scores coming from Ryan Astles, Adrian Cieslewicz and Declan McManus. Nacho Torres got a consolation goal for Druids right at the end of the game.
The result as mentioned see’s Anthony Limbrick’s 19 points clear at the top ahead of Flint Town United. Andy Turner’s team are now 20 points away from safety after Aberystwyth Town claimed a 2-0 win over Haverfordwest County.
In the opening minutes of the game, Chris Marriott whipped a ball into Joran Williams in the box who shot over the crossbar.
The tenth minute of the game saw Adrian Cieslewicz run in the box and pass the ball to Williams who hit over once more.
Three minutes later, Chris Marriott whipped in a free-kick from just outside the box to Blaine Hudson, the defender had a header which Michael Jones managed to catch.
In the 19th, Declan McManus played a great through ball to Williams, the winger had a shot in the box which Jones managed to keep out.
Not long before half-time, Williams had an effort once more, this time from just outside the 18-yard area that Michael Jones caught.
At the start of the second forty-five, the 13-time Cymru Premier champions took the lead. Chris Marriott whipped in a ball from a corner that found Ryan Astles who netted from close range.
The Saints doubled their lead in the 51st minute. Substitute Ben Clark played the ball across the box to Williams who netted into an empty net.
Three minutes on TNS nearly had a third when Marriott played a corner in that found Astles who headed just wide of the post.
The third happened just before the hour mark when Williams squared the ball across the goal to Adrian Cieslewicz who tapped the opportunity into the net.
It was four in the 61st minute, Cieslewicz crossed a great ball into McManus who scored an excellent scissor kick in the box.
The Ancients had a chance in the 68th, substitute Sam Hanley hit the ball in the 18-yard area that forced Paul Harrison to make a fantastic save to his bottom-left.
A minute later Anthony Limbrick’s team scored a fifth up the other end of the pitch. McManus crossed the ball into Williams who hit the ball in the net from inside the box for his brace.
In the 76th Williams nearly had a hat-trick. Cieslewicz played a brilliant ball into the winger with the shot hitting straight at Jones in the box.
Taylor Thain almost got won back in the 82nd minute which went over the crossbar. Nacho Torres got a consolation right at the end for Andy Turner’s team as the midfielder struck in from close range to get a goal on the board for the away team.
Both sides are next in competitive action against each other once more at The Rock on the 11th of February.
The New Saints: Paul Harrison, Chris Marriott, Ryan Astles, Jon Routledge, Declan McManus, Adrian Cieslewicz (Jake Canavan 80’), Blaine Hudson (Ben Woollam 87’), Alex Denny (Ryan Brobbel 46’), Jordan Williams, Leo Smith (Ben Clark 46’), Ash Baker (Danny Davies 46’).
Goals: Ryan Astles 47’, Jordan Williams 51’, 67’, Adrian Cieslewicz 59’, Declan McManus 61’.
Yellow cards: Chris Marriott 39’, Jake Canavan 88’.
Cefn Druids: Michael Jones, Liam Buckley, Phillip Mooney, Eridion Dida (Sam Hanley 26’), Liam Thomas, Taylor Thain, Izaack Lambert, Nacho Torres, Emmanuel Agyemang, Charley Edge, Ioan Evans.
Goal: Nacho Torres 89’.
Yellow cards: Nacho Torres 22’, Emmanuel Agyemang 42’.
