The New Saints

Match report

New Saints secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Briton Ferry in the Premier League's third regular season fixture on Thursday evening. D. Williams netted the decisive goal in the 62nd minute to extend his side's unbeaten run to seven matches. The result keeps the hosts top of the table with 19 points from seven games.

And here's the thing — it wasn't the most open contest. New Saints controlled 68 per cent of possession and registered 14 shots, but only managed seven on target. Briton Ferry offered little in return with seven attempts and three on target. To be fair, they had their chances but found no answer when it mattered.

The home side's dominance was evident in the attacking numbers. They recorded 70 attacks compared to 59 for the visitors, and won four corners against one. By then, the game had settled into a pattern of New Saints probing and Briton Ferry looking to counter, though the visitors rarely threatened.

Discipline became an issue in the second half. Two yellow cards fell in the 55th minute — one unnamed and another for J. Williams — while T. Walters saw red later in stoppage time. Seven substitutions were made in total, with Briton Ferry bringing on three players in the 70th minute alone in an attempt to change the game.

The result leaves New Saints four points clear at the summit, while Briton Ferry remain in 11th place with seven points. For the visitors, it was another defeat in their last four league matches, extending a run that includes losses to Oxford City and Flora.

Prepared from match data

Key numbers

Possession, % 68 – 32

Shots on target 7 – 3

Shots off target 7 – 4

Attacks 70 – 59

🟨 15' J. Lock — Yellow card 🟨 51' D. Simeu — Yellow card 🟨 55' Yellow card 🟨 55' J. Williams — Yellow card ⚽ 62' D. Williams — Goal ⇄ 69' J. Lock — Substitution ⇄ 70' R. Hughes — Substitution ⇄ 70' R. Hughes — Substitution ⇄ 70' O. Anderson — Substitution ⇄ 70' J. Lloyd — Substitution ⇄ 84' Z. Nolan — Substitution ⇄ 85' J. Jones — Substitution ⇄ 85' L. Bates — Substitution 🟨 90+2' T. Walters — Yellow card

Match events

15' 0:0 The New Saints Yellow card J. Lock
51' 0:0 The New Saints Yellow card D. Simeu
55' 0:0 Briton Ferry Yellow card
55' 0:0 The New Saints Yellow card J. Williams
62' 1:0 The New Saints Goal D. Williams
69' 1:0 The New Saints Substitution J. Lock off: I. Jefferies
70' 1:0 The New Saints Substitution R. Hughes off: R. Brobbel
70' 1:0 The New Saints Substitution R. Hughes off: R. Brobbel
70' 1:0 Briton Ferry Substitution O. Anderson off: T. Jenkins
70' 1:0 Briton Ferry Substitution J. Lloyd off: L. Salter
84' 1:0 The New Saints Substitution Z. Nolan off: D. Redmond
85' 1:0 Briton Ferry Substitution J. Jones off: L. Bowen
85' 1:0 Briton Ferry Substitution L. Bates off: R. George
90+2' 1:0 Briton Ferry Yellow card T. Walters

Statistics

68 Possession, % 32

7 Shots on target 3

7 Shots off target 4

70 Attacks 59

4 Corners 1

11 Free kicks 11

2 Offsides 2

3 Yellow cards 2

0 Red cards 0

4 Goal kicks 15

25 Throw-ins 12

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