TNS 1 Newtown 2
NEWTOWN stunned leaders TNS to blow the JD Cymru Premier title race wide open at Park Hall on Friday night.
The Robins enjoyed a dream start with Lufimpa Mwandwe cutting inside from the left before squaring for Alex Fletcher whose shot from the edge of the area deflected off Chris Marriott and beyond goalkeeper Paul Harrison.
TNS tested Newtown after 15 minutes with Greg Draper’s headed effort saved by goalkeeper Dave Jones.
Just a minute later and the hosts were level with Ryan Brobbel breaking before releasing Adrian Cieslewicz who lashed home from 16 yards.
However far from capitulate the visitors restored their advantage six minutes later with Neil Mitchell’s weighted right wing cross picking out Mwandwe to head home on the far post.
TNS struggled to get back into the game and a muted first-half display yielded few openings with Draper firing wide on the stroke of the break.
TNS began the second-half of top with Cieslewicz’ low cross shot going wide on 54 minutes.
Newtown continued to stifle the Saints who were left to feed off scraps for the remainder of the game with Sean McAllister putting in a shot preventing tackle on Draper on the hour.
TNS laid siege in the closing stages but Newtown were not to be denied a hard-fought three points while leaving TNS just a point clear of the chasing pack at the top of the table.
TNS: Harrison, Spender, Marriott, Davies, Brobbel, Draper (Byrne 85), Redmond, Cieslewicz, Hudson (Mullan 63), Nembhard, Edwards (Ebbe 78). Subs: Dutton, Harrington, Rees.
NEWTOWN: D Jones, McAllister, Mills-Evans, Edwards (Thorn 75), Mitchell, Rushton (Harry 86), Kenton, Mwandwe (Goodman 90), Williams, Fletcher, Kelly.
Att - 341
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