SAINTS RUE DISALLOWED GOAL
SAINTS were left to rue a controversial decision by Swansea referee Mark Whitby which could at least have taken this tie into extra-time.
Trailing 1-0 to a first-half Hector Sam goal, TNS put Wrexham's defence under heavy pressure in the second half.
A corner from the right was headed goalwards by Steve Evans and twice appeared to be over the line first as it was saved by Dragons' keeper Andy Dibble and again, as the ball rebounded, Tommy Holmes' prod appeared to be clutched by Dibble over the line.
The TV replay proved inconclusive, although Wrexham's Carlos Edwards admitted later it was a goal, but the official waved Saints' claims away.
Either side of the incident Dibble made two superb saves, the first to claw away a Michael Wilde header and the second to deny Steve Evans at the foot of the right hand post with the assistance of defender Steve Thomas.
But it was all in vain when, on 78 minutes, sloppy Saints' defending allowed Steve Roberts to unleash a 25-yarder which took a deflection off Scott Ruscoe on its way into the net.
Saints had 53% of the second-half possession and could consider themselves unlucky not to score, but in the first period they were completely dominated by the Dragons, who were equally unfortunate to have only Hector Sam's 15th minute headed goal to show for their efforts.
With Carlos Edwards wreaking havoc down the right hand flank, Wrexham dictated the pace and it was no surprise when Sam dived bravely to get his head to a Paul Edwards cross.
Wrexham were lucky to reach the break with a full side, as the referee didn't even caution Matty Crowell for a terrible tackle on Barry Hogan.
Jamie Wood was forced to plough a lone furrow up-front for TNS with little support from midfield and Dibble was a spectator.
Things changed after Ken McKenna introduced Naylor, Ruscoe and Wilde and, with Steve Evans getting forward to support the front men, Saints suddenly looked dangerous.
In the end, the scoreline slightly flattered the Second Division outfit, although it could have been worse, with Steve Thomas twice hitting the woodwork late on with long range shots.
Tommy Holmes and Nicky Ward were outstanding for Saints, in a thoroughly entertaining game which was watched by the Premier Cup's biggest crowd of the season of 1,056 and a wider TV audience throughout Wales. |
