TNS picked up their first piece of silverware for the season, after a convincing 5-1 win against a youthful Swansea City in the Nathaniel MG Cup final.
Goals from Ryan Brobbel, Josh Pask, Brad Young, and a brace from substitute Adrian Cieślewicz, either side of a goal from Swans forward Ben Lloyd saw them lift the trophy at Jenner Park. It is the first time that The New Saints have won the competition since beating Cardiff Met in 2018.
It was a fast start from the Cymru Premier champions. Ryan Brobbel pounced to give them the lead in the seventh minute, after a good save from Remy Mitchell to deny Brad Young.
It was almost a second five minutes later. The ball fell to Danny Redmond on the edge of the area, his powerful strike crashing off the post.
The young Swans had the ball in the back of the net on the 16th minute, but it was ruled out due to offside. An instant break from TNS saw them break in behind again looking to grab a certain second but were denied by a great recovering tackle by Richard Faakye.
They did have a second just two minutes later, however, defender Josh Pask flicked home from a corner to put the Ostwery side in a comfortable position. Swans players Ben Lloyd and Faakye both picked up yellow cards alongside Danny Redmond of TNS, for late challenges before the close of the first half.
TNS started the second half in an equally dominant fashion. Brad Young got on the scoresheet from close range to further extend the lead on the 50th minute.
Despite their dominance, they were unable to keep Swansea out. After the ball pinballed around the box, Lloyd pounced to grab a goal back for the South Wales side and give them a lifeline on the 58th minute.
With a comfortable scoreline still to protect, the experienced TNS side sat deep for the latter stages of the game, looking to see out the remaining time and hit Swansea on the break.
TNS added two more goals in added time. Substitute Adrian Cieślewicz getting on the scoresheet twice to seal the final for the dominant winners.
TNS manager Craig Harrison said…
The New Saints manager Craig Harrison spoke to Sgorio after the cup final victory, stating that lifting a trophy “gives you a huge confidence boost.”
It is the 10th time that the Ostwery club have lifted the trophy, a record in the competition. Speaking on the record-winning final Harrison said: “A trophy is a trophy, we wanted to win.
“We’ve set out at the start of the season to try to win everything, it’s a good opportunity in January to get a trophy in the trophy cabinet.”
Despite the convincing scoreline, Harrison was not completely happy with his side’s performance. “It should have been out of sight in the first half, the (Swansea) goalkeeper has been fantastic first 45 minutes, I’ll give him the credit instead of our poor finishing.”
TNS are now in the hunt for a quadruple, with them sitting comfortably at the top of the Cymru Premier table, in the quarter-final of the JD Welsh Cup, and travelling to Scotland to face Falkirk in the SPFL Trust Trophy in February.
Swansea City manager Andrew Wright said…
Swansea Academy manager Anthony Wright believes his side’s run to the final was a good experience for his young side.
Wright added that his side were disappointed with the two late goals they conceded and that the score line didn’t reflect the game. Despite the result not going their way, they maintained a valiant performance, backed by a loud following of Swans fans.
He said: “We’ll come back again and be stronger for it, no doubt.”
“I also want to mention our supporters. We get a good turnout at home games, but everyone today was singing and getting behind the players, which is a brilliant experience for them.”
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