Pask leaves it late to keep The New Saints top of the league

Former Coventry City defender Pask was on target in the ninth minute of added on time as Saints left it late to claim three points at Park Hall in their opening game of 2025.

Jason Oswell had earlier given Newtown a second-minute lead, with Aramide Oteh, introduced as part of a quadruple substitution by head coach Craig Harrison just before the hour, equalising for Saints.

Saturday’s result keeps TNS a point clear of Penybont at the top of the table.

Newtown, who remain third-bottom, made a bright start in Oswestry and took an early lead as Oswell intercepted a back pass from Harrison McGahey to direct a first-time effort past goalkeeper Connor Roberts.

Saints pushed for a quick response and created a number of first-half chances, with Newtown goalkeeper Samuel Ussher producing an excellent double save to deny Jordan Marshall and Jordan Williams.

Ussher also impressively twice saved from Adam Wilson as the visitors led 1-0 at the break.

Saints pulled level in the 62nd minute as Oteh finished well from close range after the ball fell his way in the penalty area.

Sion Bradley, another of the home side’s subs, had a late effort scrambled off the line, with Roberts then saving well from Oswell’s header at the other end.

But Saints kept pushing and Pask headed home Brobbel’s cross with time running out to secure a 16th league win of the season.

Reflecting on the match, TNS head coach Harrison said: “Obviously, disappointed with the goal we concede early on. It’s a really poor goal, it’s just a bit of a joke really, the goal, it’s really poor on our behalf, really sloppy.

“I thought the first 15 minutes we weren’t great, but after that we completely dominated the game, but you’ve got to say credit to Newtown.

“They came with a plan, they got men behind the ball. They’ve obviously been working hard on a low block and getting behind the ball and being organised.

“Then obviously we give them something early on to hold on to, and they did until right to the end.

“It’s just important that we kept our discipline, we kept going, we kept moving the ball, kept creating and believed in what we were doing, and in the end we did.”

Pask’s late goal ensured TNS captain Danny Redmond ended on the winning side on his 250th appearance for the club.

Saints are next in action when they travel to Cardiff Metropolitan University on Saturday.

TNS: Roberts, Davies, McGahey, Pask, Marshall (Cieslewicz), Holden (Oteh), D. Williams, Redmond, Brobbel, J. Williams (Clark), Wilson (Bradley). Subs not used: Bodenham, Doforo, Karolak.