Football: Llandudno Junction FC humbled by TNS

Feb 4 2010

LLANDUDNO JUNCTION 0 THE NEW SAINTS 6

PROUD Junction manager Shane Cartwright had only one regret after seeing his side battle their hearts out in a gallant losing cause on Saturday.

Cartwright wished his team could have scored just once against Welsh Premier League giants The New Saints to reward the Railwaymen’s fantastic supporters who turned out in their hundreds at the Flyover Ground.

In the end the full-time professionals ran out convincing 6-0 winners, but the Welsh Alliance hosts had nothing to be ashamed of.

"It was a great day, well organised and enjoyed by a huge crowd who turned up in their hundreds – it’s just a shame we didn’t score a goal for them," said Cartwright.

"All the players can take heart from this game, I’m really proud of how we applied ourselves throughout.

"We never stopped trying and it has given us fantastic experience against a very good TNS side.

"It wouldn’t surprise me if TNS win all before them this season as their passing and movement and clinical finishing was a joy to watch, it’s how the game should be played.

"They played good attacking football on a difficult pitch, and it’s a compliment to Junction that they fielded a very strong side."

Junction were aiming to become the first ever club to progress to the quarter- finals of the Welsh Cup from the Welsh Alliance, but in front of a huge crowd they were put to the sword by an in-form TNS outfit that adapted expertly to the tricky conditions.

From the start Saints forced a succession of corners and kept the ball really well, attacking down both flanks and putting the Junction rearguard under tremendous pressure.

It was from one of those early flag-kicks that TNS took the lead when a goalmouth scramble enabled Steve Abbott to finish with a fierce shot past Liam Ewing.

Junction looked very nervous in the first 20 minutes and before they could get good possession TNS struck again when Phil Baker hit a free-kick straight at Ewing but the ball somehow managed to squeeze through his legs and into the net.

This did signal a Junction fightback and Mike Lundstram found himself outpacing the experienced Steve Evans, firing a rasping shot which TNS keeper Paul Harrison superbly saved diving to his right.

Another chance soon came as Lundstram crossed for Luke O’Mahoney but the ball failed to clear the diving goalkeeper.

TNS then stepped up a gear and scored two goals just before half-time through Chris Seargeant after a mazy run and then Welsh international Evans who netted from a corner with a glancing header.

Even at 4-0 down at half time the Junction players never gave in to their illustrious opponents, but with home fitness levels dropping TNS added further goals through Abbott and Seargeant to record a 6-0 win.

Added Cartwright: "All the players, management and committee members of TNS acted first class and were very professional and complimentary towards Junction and I would like to place on record our thanks to them as I’m sure we’ve made more footballing friends."

It is back to the battle for Welsh Alliance League supremacy for Junction this Saturday as they entertain fellow high-fliers Holywell Town at the Flyover, 2pm kick- off.