Thursday, May 17, 2012

Neath next-up after Saints despatch the Exiles

TNS v Newport

NEATH are next-up for The New Saints in the quarter-finals of the Welsh Cup after a comfortable 4-0 victory over Newport County at Park Hall.

With the Exiles also in Blue Square Premier action at Gateshead, manager Justin Edinburgh sent an inexperienced squad to Oswestry and they were despatched by four first-half goals.
The visitors could have drawn first blood when Myron Khan volleyed over the bar from a corner in the second minute but, a double salvo from the Saints virtually ended the game as a contest.
Scott Ruscoe's corner was drilled back into the box and defender Connell Rawlinson stabbed home from close range past keeper Danny Potter.
And, just four minutes later, Luke Holden's flag kick was returned into the box by Craig Jones for Alex Darlington to finish.
Greg Draper added a superb third on 26 minutes with a 25-yard volley and Jones hit an equally exquisite effort into the top corner two minutes before the break.
TNS dropped down a couple of gears in the second half with next week's game against Neath in mind and had little difficulty holding their visitors at bay, with sub Ryan Fraughan, Nicky Ward and Fraughan again all close to increasing the goal tally.
Quarter-final dtaw:
Bala Town v Llanelli AFC
Airbus UK Broughton v Carmarthen Town
Aberystwyth Town v Cefn Druids
The New Saints v Neath FC
Ties to be played on the weekend of 25/26/27 February.
Photo: Greg Draper hails Connell Rawlinson who put the Saints in front.

Shoot-out woe

Wrexham v TNS
The Saints suffered the agony of a 5-4 penalty shoot-out defeat to Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground in the 2006 semi-final.
TNS twice led the League Two outfit in normal time and again the shoot-out, before goalkeeper Gerard Doherty (above consoled by Chris King) missed the vital spot kick.

Ninian joy

Cardiff City v TNS
TNS beat Cardiff City 1-0 at Ninian Park on their way to the 2007 final success. John Leah is pictured celebrating with Jamie Wood.