The New Saints won the 2018 Nathaniel MG Cup with a 1-0 win over Cardiff Metropolitan University at Park Avenue, Aberystwyth (writes Jamie Davies).
Jamie Mullan’s 64th minute winning goal secured the Saints’ fourth successive Welsh League Cup victory and manager Scott Ruscoe’s first silverware since replacing Craig Harrison last summer.
The defeat for Cardiff Met is not be the result they wanted, but reaching their first cup final along with making top six in their first two seasons at Welsh Premier League level shows how far the university team has progressed.
They made four changes from their away win at Carmarthen Town League. Dylan Rees, Brad Woolridge, Dan Spencer and Will Evans were in the starting line-up.
Rhydian Morgan and Harry Owen were among the substitutes, while Mart Swindlehurst and Ben Bowler were not in the match day 18.
Ruscoe made two changes from the squad who beat Bangor City as TNS had to play without top goal scorer Greg Draper due to injury. The New Zealander was replaced by Alex Darlington, while Chris Marriott started ahead of Ryan Pryce.
TNS were firm favourites going into the Welsh League Cup final, but Met were aware that the last final they were in – last season’s Welsh Cup – ended in victory for Bala Town.
Premier League leaders Saints got off to a good start and Darlington had a free header saved by Cardiff Met’s goalkeeper Will Fuller, while Connell Rawlinson’s header was tipped over the bar by Fuller.
Met lost Jordan Lam to an injury inside the first half an hour with Harry Owen going on to replace the winger.
The students created their first chance after 34 minutes left when a cross found Eliot Evans in the TNS box and he poked the ball into the net. Met players started to celebrate, but a linesman had signalled Evans was offside.
Saints kept up their momentum after half-time and, following a flowing attack, scored the only goal when Mullan smashed the ball home into the roof of the net from a tight angle.
Eight minutes a half volley by striker Darlington struck a post.
Dublin-born former Shamrock Rovers player Dean Ebbe, who signed for TNS the day before the final, replaced Darlington with 12 minutes left.
Met can take heart from a battling performance, but the experience and quality of Saints gave them the edge.
Cardiff Metropolitan University: Fuller (gk), Rees, McCarthy, Woolridge (capt), E Evans, Baker, Lam (Owen 27), Spencer (Hope 75), Edwards, Barnett (Howell 67), W Evans. Subs not used: Thomas, Morgan, D Evans (gk).
The New Saints: Harrison (gl, capt), Spender, Marriott, Rawlinson, Hudson, Holland, Routledge, Edwards, Mullan, Brobbel, Darlington (Ebbe 78). Subs not used: Pryce, Saunders, Parry, Kauber, Clark, Jones (gk).
Referee: Kevin Parry.