TNS - Match Report - 07.11.25

Roscrow to the Rescue!

Cardiff Met produced a stunning performance at Park Hall to claim a historic victory over reigning champions The New Saints.

TNS dominated possession in the early exchanges and came close to opening the scoring, but skipper CJ Craven pulled off a crucial, goal-saving block on the Met goal line to keep the scores level.

Despite the pressure, Met took the lead in the 21st minute. A free-kick clipped in by Reynolds found Lewis Rees breaking in behind the Saints’ back line. Rees chipped the ball first time to the back post, where Jasper Payne rose highest and powered a header into the top-left corner.

Seven minutes before the break, the Archers doubled their advantage with a brilliant counterattack. Payne slipped a perfect through ball to Rees, who twisted and turned past his marker before driving a cross across the box. Mwandawe arrived at the back post to smash the ball home - right-footed, low and hard into the corner.

Met defended resiliently for the remainder of the half and went into the break with a deserved 2–0 lead.

TNS responded strongly after the restart and pulled one back just before the hour mark. Ben Clark met Danny Redmond’s cross with a header that crept in off the post.

The Saints were then awarded a contentious penalty after Richards was judged to have handled the ball in the box, allowing Ryan Brobbel to convert from the spot and bring the sides level.

It looked as though the points would be shared - until the 93rd minute. Substitute Elliot Evans combined smartly with fellow substitute Adam Roscrow, who squared up his defender before calmly slotting past Shepherd in the TNS goal to seal a famous 3–2 win.

Victory for the Archers ends TNS’s 13-game winning streak and moves Met back into the top six. Cardiff Met will look to build on this result when they host Briton Ferry