SAINTS EXIT CUP DESPITE WIN AT NEWTOWN
NEWTOWN clinched their place in the quarter-finals of the FAW Premier Cup despite suffering a defeat in their final group game at Latham Park.
With TNS needing to win by three clear goals to progress themselves, the Robins lived on their nerves before eventually sealing their place in the last eight of the BBC-sponsored competition as group runners-up behind Caersws.
The night started well enough for the home side who took a fourth minute lead when Steve Edwards headed home a right wing comer from Chris Adamson.
But the encounter, which survived the threat of fog, sprang to life with the visitors hitting back with three quick goals.
Robbie Wood pounced on a stray pass from Mark Thomas to level the scores on the night when he steered a low 16-yard shot into the net on nine minutes.
And eight minutes later, Ricky Evans found plenty of room on the right before delivering a perfect cross for Chris Taylor to head home.
Worse followed for the Robins as the Saints grabbed a third with Derek Ward the benefactor of acres of space on the right on 28 minutes before floating a deep cross to the far post with Chris Edge sending a downward header into the net.
With the hosts tightening up at the back, TNS were unable to maintain their earlier momentum in the second period as they strove for a crucial fourth goal.
John Toner had one effort scrambled away while the striker and Nicky Ward had further shots comfortably saved.
And Newtown settled their nerves on 66 minutes as top scorer Steve McCormick steered the ball in from close range after Thomas's free kick had been knocked down into his path.
TNS never looked likely to retrieve the game after that, leaving player boss Ken McKenna - who appeared as a second half substitute - to reflect on points dropped at home earlier in the competition.
Justin Wickham went dose to levelling on the night for Newtown when his late shot was blocked by keeper Gerard Doherty but by then the hosts had already tightened their grip on the £15,000 bonus for reaching the quarter-finals. |
