Thursday, May 17, 2012

Great Scott! Youth march into cup semis

TNS v Caernarfon

SCOTT Quigley led the way with a brace as The New Saints marched into the semi-finals of the FAW Youth Cup at Park Hall on Sunday.

But the TNS youth team were made to work hard for victory by Caernarfon Town, who dominated much of the early exchanges as the Saints were out-fought in midfield.
Alex Jones hammered wide after a free-kick for the Canaries and Cory Williams was also off-target before TNS took the lead against the run of play after 33 minutes.
A sublime ball over the top from Tom Allen, found Quigley in space and he produced a cool finish to beat keeper Ben Tate.
Quigley's physical presence was a decisive factor in the Saints' win and he quickly added a second, but the hosts were pegged back before half-time when a looping shot from Williams beat keeper Alex Ramsey.
Naim Arsan rattled the crossbar from the edge oof the box before the two-goal cushion was restored immediately after the break, when more good work from Quigley saw two shots blocked before Ryan Jones hammered home from the edge of the box.
Tate did well to tip away an angled drive from Jordan Cartwright and Allen also found the crossbar with an 18-yarder and the Saints gradually took control.
And Arsan made sure there was no way back for the visitors when he played a one-two with Brody Millington before finishing well for the fourth goal.
Photo: Scott Quigley celebrates the first of his two goals with Naim Arsan and Jordan Cartwright.

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.