T.N.S. 2 NEWI Cefn Druids 1 - Match Report


Fought back in vain.

By Robert Stock
January 31 2004

T.N.S. extended their lead at the top of the Welsh Premier tonight, courtesy of a 2-1 win over local rivals NEWI Cefn Druids, who's late fightback proved to be in vain as the Saint's held on to secure a vital 3 points at Treflan. CARLOS EDWARDS

SHAKEY SAINTS HOLD ON FOR VICTORY

T.N.S. claimed all 3 points thanks to a goal in each half from Dave Bridgewater and Nicky Ward. Despite a late comeback from Druids, who pulled one back thanks to Alec Stacey's strike the Saints held on for a far from convincing victory, as they extend their lead at the league's summit.

Both teams struggled to get to grips with the difficult playing conditions, and a strong Easterly wind did not help matters at all! The opening encounters were fairly unmemorable with the game being locked in a mid-field battle for most of the half. Druids looked like going in at half time with the scores even, but five minutes before the break Dave Bridgewater's edge of the box free kick curled over the wall into the middle of the goal, with Druids keeper Mike Price seemingly blinded of the ball's flight due to the large wall that he had arranged in front of him.

The 2nd half saw the home side look to kill off the game, and like in Tuesday's Premier Cup defeat to Wrexham, The Saints lay siege on the Ancients' goal with a number of corners, one of which resulted in Michael Wilde's mis-hit shot to scrape against the post with the evergreen Aled Rowlands clearing the ball to safety. 

Druids' finally succumbed to the pressure on 82 minutes when Nicky Ward met Dave Bridgewater's pin-point cross to volley home from the left hand side of the penalty area, this time giving Price no chance.

The game seemed dead and buried, but Druids refused to say die, and got themselves back in the game with a fine goal from ex-TNS trialst Alec Stacey, who latched onto substitute Roy Cardus' fine through ball, with Stacey just putting enough pace on his toe-poke for the ball to cross the line.

Druids continued to push forward in search of an equaliser but T.N.S. held on to secure a vital 3 points which sees them move 4 points clear of 2nd-placed Rhyl. 

Robert Stock

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