WEDNESDAY 21 MARCH

FAW Premier Cup Final    

NEWPORT COUNTY 0 THE NEW SAINTS  1      

County’s staging of the 2007 FAW Premier Cup Final could not be faulted.  A good playing surface and an impeccably behaved crowd of 1,809 gave the occasion the setting it deserved, while the pre-match rendition of Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau by Newport’s 19 year-old soprano Holly Holyoake, who wore an amber replica top, was simply stunning.

However when the action began it was The New Saints who called the tune, not surprisingly perhaps considering that Michael Jackson played such a starring role in their defence that Ken McKenna did not need to think of bringing on substitute defender Robbie Williams!  The annual Welsh Premier League champions administered as comprehensive a 1-0 defeat as you are likely to see and the quality of their football made them a delight to watch.

TNS moved the ball around in style and their movement and support play was supremely orchestrated.  They always had options in possession and their defensive covering almost suffocated County.  And in a match superbly refereed by Mark Whitby, there was not a foul in anger all night from either side.

Yet it all could have worked out differently with a great chance falling to Craig Hughes in front of goal within 90 seconds of kick-off.  The striker who has scored 19 goals this season snatched at the opportunity and fired over the bar.  The magnitude of the miss was apparent four minutes later when Michael Wilde swept the ball diagonally across the field and advancing midfield player STEVEN BECK struck it perfectly to give Mark Ovendale no chance from the edge of the penalty area.

County were again close on 11 minutes when Dean Holdsworth rose highest to meet a Jason Bowen inswinging corner from the left but his header was cleared off the line by Scott Ruscoe.  Holdsworth also figured in County’s most fluent move on 33 minutes when he held the ball up and played in Nathan Davies whose ball inside Phil Baker was perfectly placed for Bowen, but Gerard Doherty was quick off his line to smother the shot and the home side scarcely created another chance.

For the visitors the impressive John Leah tested Ovendale’s handling ability with a couple of rasping drives from 25 yards, but the County keeper dealt with both, though the home fans were relieved that half-time came with just one goal separating the sides.

County enjoyed far more possession after the break but TNS had their back door bolted with the safety catch on.  Kris Leek was full of energy and forward movement but he was one of the few County players who looked to have the ability to create an opening with Richard Evans and Bowen both subdued by excellent marking.

Leek’s massive throws might have caused some difficulty but TNS seemed to win every second ball.  Despite County’s flat-out efforts, the openings would not come though on the break the visitors often threatened to add to their advantage.  Ovendale seemed to tip a Wilde header over the bar on 63 minutes, though a goal-kick was awarded, and the rock-solid keeper was alert to another header from Wilde eight minutes later, and yet another on 84 minutes.

County’s one opening was a half chance for Holdsworth that just would not fall for the former England B international who could not keep his shot under the bar.  The match which started with such high hopes and enthusiasm from the home fans finished in anti-climax though those who remained for the trophy presentation gave both teams a rousing reception.

We congratulate The New Saints, the 2007 FAW Premier Cup winners, and wish them well in the future.

Line ups:

County:  Ovendale, Jenkins, Searle, Davies, Brough, Hillier, Bowen, Leek, Holdsworth (Prosser 89), Hughes, Evans (Griffin 77).  Subs not used: Edwards, O’Sullivan, Giles.

The New Saints:  Doherty, Baker, Courtney, Jackson, Holmes, Leah, Ruscoe, Wilde (Gonzalez 90), Toner (Stones 75), Beck, Wood.  Subs not used: R Williams, Hogan, L Williams.

Scorer: Beck (6).  Caution: Leah (75 dissent)

Officials:

Referee:  Mark Whitby (Penllergaer)

Assistants:  Eddie King (Ystradgynlais), Phil Thomas (Trealaw).

Fourth official: Ceri Richards (Llangennech)

Attendance:  1,809

Man of the Match:   County:  Kris Leek

                                    The New Saints:  Michael Wilde

Match Rating: 3/5