November Review: Two trips to Wales end in misery for Saints
Saturday 2 November
The New Saints 3 - 2 Notts County (FA Cup, 1st Round)
⚽ Sigurðsson, Carpenter, Draper
⭐ Carpenter
For their very first FA Cup game, TNS welcomed Notts County, still the only team to defeat Saints at home in 90 minutes, back to Park Hall. What would be a triumphant first foray into the football's oldest club competition started well, with Icelandic prospect Össur Sigurðsson firing in an opener (and his first for the club) after a strike well saved by Alex Bass floated into his path, just metres from goal. Saints would keep a much tighter grip on this game than when County last came to visit, and midway through the second day half, some necessary breathing room came when Austin Carpenter, up for a corner, took advantage of a chaotic set piece to bundle home a second for TNS. Josh Martin got one back for County after cutting in off the left, only for Chris Draper to smash home a goal of the season contender from 25 yards to confirm a Saints victory. Curtis Edwards pulled one back late on, but it wasn't enough for County.
Saturday 9 November
Newport County 3 - 0 The New Saints (EFL League Two)
⭐ Herbert
It was a woeful day out in South Wales for TNS, in what was a first trip back to more familiar surroundings since the transfer to the English Football League. Bobby Kamwa stole the show on the day, and scored the first midway through the first half, making the most of some lacklustre marking to run free of Saints' defence and boulder home a powerful strike that Ryan Davies was helpless to stop. Any attempt made by Saints to pull themselves back into this one were met with fierce opposition from Newport, and they doubled their lead in the first half through another Kamwa goal. The second half represented an improvement from TNS, but they could still do very little to trouble the hosts. Substitute Kiban Rai sealed it for Newport in the second half, putting salt in the Saints' fans wounds to send them home truly deflated.
Wednesday 13 November
The New Saints 3 - 1 Bolton Wanderers (BSM Trophy, Group Stage)
⚽ Sigurðsson 2, Bowman
⭐ Sigurðsson
TNS just needed a point to confirm their place in the next round of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, but ended up going better than that to hurl League One's Bolton Wanderers out of the competition. The scoreline probably flattered TNS, but the home side got off to the better start, Össur Sigurðsson following up his FA Cup goal with the first of a sensational brace, getting clear and smashing in a top corner thunderbolt from just inside the box. Bolton had some fantastic chances in the first half and should have levelled on multiple occasions, but striker Dion Charles just couldn't seem to figure out where the net was. Saints capitalised once again to go two ahead, after some lovely interplay saw Elijah Just lay the ball across for Ezra Bowman to net an easy finish. Into the second half, Bolton's pressure finally paid off, with Eoin Toal heading home from a set piece. TNS finished the stronger though, and another elegant top-corner finish from the Icelander sent TNS storming through to the second round.
Saturday 16 November
The New Saints 2 - 2 Salford City (EFL League Two)
⚽ Thomas 2
⭐ Thomas
Next to visit Park Hall were struggling Salford City, who despite the talent in their squad have flattered to deceive so far this season. TNS looked to carry the momentum from their midweek victory into this fixture, and Jaxon Thomas put away the opener after being nicely played through with a lovely ball by Ethan Herbert. However, it didn't take long for Salford to respond, with Dan Chesters popping up in the box to latch onto a cross and steer home an equaliser. Things went even more askew for Saints early in the second half, when former Liverpool youngster Ben Woodburn had the freedom of Park Hall to burst through the defence and put Salford ahead. Substituted on, hero of midweek Sigurðsson made a key contribution by sending a lofted through ball into the path of Jaxon Thomas, who did go on to equalise neatly and give TNS a point.
Saturday 23 November
Walsall 0 - 0 The New Saints (EFL League Two)
⭐ Davies
After five straight losses on the road, Saints will have probably accepted a point at mid-table Walsall before kick-off. The away team were perhaps equally fortunate to get that point as they were unfortunate not to steal it at the death, when the ball feel kindly into the path of Jaxon Thomas following a deflection. However, despite running through one-on-one, Thomas couldn't hold his nerve to beat the keeper. Speaking of excellent goalkeeping, Ryan Davies was on fantastic form throughout the game, although it was (in general) a better defensive effort than usual from Saints. Part of that may be down to the returning Jason Parr, back for his first game following time out with a foot injury.
Saturday 30 November
Wrexham 3 - 0 The New Saints (FA Cup, 2nd Round)
⭐Just
After their first round triumph, Saints could hardly have wished for a more tantalising game at this point in the competition, only travelling a few miles down the road (and across the border) to face Wrexham. Although the home side were easily favourites, TNS put up a steady fight initially, only for it all to be undone when James Jones found space in the box to nestle in the opener. Facing an uphill battle, Saints had to make a play for the game in the second half and ultimately became too loose at the back, Paul Mullin scoring a double after the break to send TNS packing out of the cup. The result was not unexpected, but TNS will have hoped to create more opportunities on the day.
The State of Play
Split between league and cup football, it was a strange and challenging month for TNS, who have now failed to win for five league games in a row but sit just outside the play-offs, a respectable 8th in League Two. Saints will look forward to a home tie in the second round of the BSM Trophy against League One team Stockport County, but also have a busy month of league action to contend with, facing the remaining six teams left to play for the first time this season. All six currently sit in the bottom half of the table, so Saints will hope to pick up their form over the coming weeks, with the January transfer window looming.
INJURY UPDATE: Chris Draper out until the new year
To make the 3-0 away defeat to Welsh rivals Newport County worse, key winger Chris Draper suffered a knee injury and is expected to be out of action until 2025, with manager Craig Harrison expressing hope that one of his key men will be back before the end of January.
TRANSFER UPDATE: Harrison gives trio instruction to find new clubs
TNS boss Craig Harrison has informed three players that they will be listed for transfer ahead of the upcoming window in January. Central midfielder Brendan Feeney (31), and wingers Jacob Miller (20) and Kyle Smith (33), have all been deemed surplus to requirements, after making less than a handful of appearances collectively during the first half of the season.
Other teams in League Two have made enquiries about the availability of Miller and Smith, with deals for the duo expected to be finalised in the coming weeks ahead of the window opening.
You've come quite a way into the season. I get the impression that you're doing all right, especially at home. Have you considered sharing a league table at some point? This might help bring an idea of how you're progressing.
Season 24/25
December Review: Thomas hot streak can't stop New Saints slipping down table
Wednesday 4 December
The New Saints 3 - 0 Harrogate Town (EFL League Two)
⚽ Thomas 3
⭐ Thomas
After failing to win for five consecutive league games, TNS got off to a fantastic start in December with a home demolition of a pretty sorry Harrogate Town side. The game was pretty much a finished contest in the first half, with Jaxon Thomas scoring the first of a scintillating hat-trick after being played through by Eamon O'Connor, rattling the ball into the top corner. He then added a second before the break, latching onto a ball played back by Emmanuel Ward to tuck home another goal. Harrogate did mount a bit of an offensive in the second half, with Sam Folarin coming closest, but an imperious performance at the back from Lucas Miller (now settling in to his new club) alleviated any major concerns. Miller was instrumental in the third goal too, somehow popping up in the final third only to have his shot saved, which was duly put away by Thomas to complete a treble of goals on the night.
Saturday 7 December
Fleetwood Town 1 - 0 The New Saints (EFL League Two)
⭐ Carpenter
The winless run away from home extended to eight games on the north-west coast of England, with Saints rueing a hatful missed chances after coming away on the losing end. It was a fairly tight game overall, with both defences putting in strong performances at the back. Austin Carpenter, who has had to compete for a place all season with Lucas Miller, took advantage of a rare opportunity to play alongside the Scot and impressed Craig Harrison. At the other end, Jaxon Thomas couldn't carry his fantastic form from midweek into this game, but probably came the closest for TNS. The decider was a brutally late one for TNS, as Fleetwood's Ryan Broom stole in on the left hand side of Saints' box to rattle home and 89th-minute winner for the Cod Army. The search for an away win in the league continues.
Wednesday 11 December
The New Saints 0 - 1 Stockport County (BSM Trophy, Round 2)
⭐ Bradley
After two wins from two in the group stage of the competition, Saints' journey in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy came to an end at the hands of a strong Stockport County side, currently plying their trade in League One. Saints had a fantastic opportunity to go ahead early through Össur Sigurðsson, who rattled the bar with a strike in the first ten minutes. After that, Stockport were much the dominant team, peppering William Bradley's goal but seemingly unable to break the deadlock. TNS held firm, but the levee broke in the second half when Kyle Wootton burst through on goal and fired the ball at Bradley, who made a great save but couldn't stop Wootton finishing the job on the rebound. Saints made a valiant effort to grab an equaliser but the Stockport defence were up to the test and carried the away side to the final whistle. TNS should take some pride though in the performance, despite the disappointment of a third and final cup exit of the season.
Saturday 14 December
The New Saints 2 - 3 AFC Wimbledon (EFL League Two)
⚽ Pickering 2
⭐ Pickering
TNS have come to rely on their strong home form this season, but the illusion of safety within Park Hall was shattered by a first half mauling, courtesy of an underperforming but undeniably strong Wimbledon side. Matt Stevens got the opener within five minutes, smashing into the top corner from just outside the box to begin the Dons' onslaught. A second came just ten minutes later through Omar Bugiel, who tapped in after some good work done the left-hand side produced a fierce ball across the box that Saints were helpless to stop. As if it couldn't get worse, Alistair Smith had the freedom of Park Hall just before half-time to waltz through the middle and fire in a third. At the beginning of the second half, Harrison responded by bringing Logan Pickering on. This bore fruit, as Pickering quickly got through on goal from a Thomas pass and slotted in to stoke the flames of Saints' fans comeback hopes. A second Pickering goal arrived on the hour mark, but Wimbledon fastened up defensively after then, and Pickering spurned a chance for a memorable hat-trick (it would have been his second at the age of just 17).
Saturday 21 December
Bromley 2 - 1 The New Saints (EFL League Two)
⚽ Thomas
⭐ Thomas
Travelling to bottom-of-the-table Bromley, with just one win in the league all season, Saints fans would have been banking on the dismal away run coming to an end in London. It looked even more likely in the first ten minutes when Thomas held off his defender to put the ball past Grant Smith in the Bromley goal and give TNS the lead. Saints had more chances to score in the first half, but went into the half-time break just one goal ahead, perhaps a disappointing return. Bromley came out for the second half a different side and gave TNS far more problems. Michael Cheek scored an equaliser for Bromley around the hour mark, getting far too much time and space in the box to fire a low shot into the right corner past Davies. TNS responded and had numerous opportunities to get back in front, with Pickering going through on goal but striking straight at the keeper. Then, two minutes from the end of the game, Bromley received a free kick on the edge of the box, which Swansea loanee and Welshman Cameron Congreve curled into the top corner to give Bromley just a second win of the season.
Thursday 26 December
The New Saints 3 - 1 Swindon Town (EFL League Two)
⚽ Just, Thomas, Hancock
⭐ Miller
With just one win in eight league games, Saints were in desperate need of a result, and got one at home to Swindon Town on Boxing Day. After an evenly contested first quarter, Elijah Just got free on the right-hand side and ran through on goal, clinking a shot against the post and in to give TNS the opener. Just a few minutes later, Swindon rallied, and a mix-up at the back between Austin Carpenter and William Bradley allowed defender Tunmise Sobowale, up from the back, to fumble a ball into the net for an equaliser. Into the second half, and things remained tight between the two teams, until Jaxon Thomas got some space in the box to fire Saints back ahead. It looked like Emmanuel Ward might get TNS a third after breaking free, only for Swindon defender Will Wright to take him down and receive his marching orders. With the man advantage, Saints finally put the game beyond the visitors, substitute Louis Hancock making the most of some chaotic defending to poke the ball in from a tight angle and score his first senior goal.
Sunday 29 December
Colchester United 2 - 2 The New Saints (EFL League Two)
⚽ Bowman, Sigurðsson
⭐ Bowman
With the season fixture congestion mounting, Craig Harrison rung the changes, even resting star striker Jaxon Thomas. It looked like a master stroke, early on, as Össur Sigurðsson played through his strike partner Ezra Bowman to knock in the opening goal within 15 minutes. Colchester did strike back before half-time, Jason Parr failing to clear his lines in the box an allowing Lyle Taylor in to score the first of two for him on the day. Colchester started the better in the second half and went ahead through experienced Taylor's second, although his header came just moments after Saints had a strike of their own cleared off the line. TNS did rally to get a point, Bowman finding space down the right-hand side to cut the ball back to Sigurðsson, who levelled the game. In the very last minute, Jaxon Thomas had a golden opportunity to win Saints the game and end the barren away run, but the goalkeeper stood firm and palmed the strike away.
The State of Play
After falling into the bottom half during the month, Saints ended stronger to finish the calendar year 11th in League Two, just two points behind the play-off positions. As ever with League Two, the table is incredibly tight, and just three points separate 5th placed Gillingham and Carlisle in 13th. With the second half of the season still to come then, and just the league to focus on, there is still everything to play for. January is a busy month of league action, with six games to play subject to any postponements, and will of course mark an opportunity for Harrison to add to his squad. A key position to look at will be the centre of midfield, where Ethan Herbert and Eamon O'Connor have had to shoulder much of the game time and responsibility thus far.
