Shannon haunts the Saints again
ADEN Shannon came off the bench to haunt TNS for the second New Year fixture in a row. The scorer of a hat-trick in last season's 5-2 defeat at Maesydre headed in unopposed at the far post in the 89th minute to send Welshpool delirious with delight. They became the first side to take a Welsh Premier point away from Treflan this season and, overall, the Saints could have few complaints. They failed to take advantage of their earlier dominance and only had a Marc Lloyd Williams goal to show for their efforts. In a bright start, Jamie Wood and Lloyd Williams both went close, but the Lilywhites had a narrow escape mid-way through the first-half. Mike Wilde headed a Lloyd Williams cross against the post and keeper Gerard McGuigan was fortunate to hold on to the rebound. Steve Evans and Scott Ruscoe also had first-half efforts miss the target and TNS almost paid the penalty on the restart when Gerard Doherty just foiled Steve Rogers and then held a follow-up shot from Ceri James. Wilde's cross from the right provided the opening for Jiws to pounce from inside the six yard box and the striker almost had another moments later after a superb solo run from midfield. But Welshpool fired a warning shot when Rogers headed just over a gaping goalmouth and two free kicks in the dying minutes had TNS under pressure. Davies miskicked in front of goal but, just when it seemed Saints were home and dry, sub Justin Wickham sent a pinpoint cross over from the right for a gleeful Shannon to head the equaliser. |