McKenna's late winner has Saints in raptures
Saturday 13 March 2010
JOHN McKenna came off the bench to snatch a sensational late winner for The New Saints at Neath's Gnoll Stadium.
With the score deadlocked at 0-0 in the sixth minute of stoppage time, Tommy Holmes crossed the ball into the box from the left and McKenna volleyed a superb 15-yarder past keeper Anthony Williams.
It was no more than the Saints deserved after creating the better of the second-half chances following a tepid first period for both sides.
Carlos Castan had come closest for the hosts, heading over from a corner on 28 minutes and sending another headed effort straight at keeper Paul Harrison just before the break.
Soon after half-time, Scott Ruscoe's free-kick on the left was flicked-on by Steve Evans to Alex Darlington, who headed wide of the far post from a good position.
A raking cross field ball from Ruscoe found Craig Jones, who cut inside before firing over the bar, while Darlington shot straight at Williams from another chance.
Williams saved a Ruscoe shot low down with eight minutes remaining while Evans saw his header saved as the game went into added time but, with time rapidly running out, McKenna struck his winner to cue wild celebrations from the Saints' bench.
Photo: John McKenna celebrates his goal [Mike Greenslade/www.mikezite.co.uk].
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