Wrexham Win and TNS Make It Six On The Bounce
It was not the most successful weekend for the Welsh sides competing in the EFL, with defeats for Cardiff, Swansea, and Newport. North Wales showed the South how to do it though, as Wrexham earnt a hard-fought win at home to Mansfield.
In the Cymru Premier, The New Saints marched on with a comeback win over Haverfordwest County making it six wins in a row for the side who are also competing in Europe.
Let’s get into it!
Ryan Barnett Gives Wrexham Win
On a weekend where Cardiff, Swansea, and Newport all lost, Wrexham extended their unbeaten run in League One to five games.
Right back Ryan Barnett scored the only goal of the game after six minutes, cutting back onto his right foot and firing home from the edge of the box.
Fellow Wrexham full-back James McClean was booed throughout the game by sections of the visiting Mansfield supporters, the Republic of Ireland international not linking arms with team-mates for the minute’s silence before kick-off marking Remembrance Sunday, and foregoing displaying a poppy for personal reasons as he has throughout his career.
“The result was great for us, it’s good to get back to winning ways after losing in the FA Cup last weekend. It was important,” Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson said.
“It was a hard-fought game, Mansfield are a good team who have done well on their travels and we had to work exceptionally hard to get the win today.
“Were we at our best? No, in terms of giving the ball away cheaply at times. Whether that was a little bit of a hangover from last week, I’m not sure with the early kick-off – because both teams in the early exchanges gave the ball away.”
Riza Future Still Unclear Ahead of International Break
Cardiff interim manager Omer Riza admitted that his future at the capital club is still unclear after a 1-3 home defeat to Blackburn Rovers.
Andreas Weimann’s brace gave Blackburn the lead before David Turnbull put Cardiff back in the game on 73 minutes. Lewis Baker’s late goal put the result beyond doubt.
After an unbeaten October, Cardiff have now lost successive matches in the league, dropping back into the relegation places.
“Regarding what it looks like, I don’t know. It’s every international break is a chance to bring in another manager,” Riza said after the match.
“We have always said that when you are winning it’s more difficult, when you are losing it’s easier. It depends what the club wants to do moving forward, only they can answer it.
“What I’m worried about is not winning games. The pressure is there if you don’t win games and then the opportunity is there for anything to happen. I’m not going to say whether I want the job, you already know the answer to that.”
Swansea Denied By Late Penalty
Swansea’s recent upturn in form was halted by a stoppage time Jay Rodriguez penalty, handing Burnley a first win in five games.
The visitors struggled in front of goal once again, with the new striker partnership of Myles Peart-Harris and Zan Vipotnik labouring in a drab first half.
With the club in the midst of a potential takeover, Luke Williams will undoubtedly be feeling a bit of pressure to keep the good results coming
Swansea chairman Andy Coleman and fellow shareholders Brett Cravatt and Nigel Morris – plus businessman Jason Cohen – are in the process of buying out majority owners Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan.
“I think we are all holding our breath and hoping it’s going to be the start of something very exciting,” manager Williams said.
“I am confident it will be, but of course time will tell. Having spoken to Andy at length, his ambition and his energy are very obvious.
“There are many issues around football club ownership as I am sure you know and [which are] well above my level. But the people I have met, Andy of course included in that, have shown a real energy and enthusiasm for the club.”
County Drop Into Bottom Half After Tranmere Defeat
Thanks to goals from Connor Jennings and Keiron Morris, Tranmere Rovers beat Newport County 2-1 at Prenton Park, causing the Exiles to drop into the bottom half of League Two.
Kyle Hudlin pulled one back for County but, while in the hunt for an equaliser, Newport went down to 10-men with Kyle Jameson sent off for a second bookable offence.
“Going into half-time losing the game I think was unfair for the boys,” said Newport boss Nelson Jardim.
“We tried to react second half, we did that. Their second goal kind of complicated things for us, but our reaction was there, we did score a goal.
“A draw overall would have been a fair result, but again disappointed obviously, but we have to look forward and the next game.”
TNS Pull Away from Haverfordwest in Cymru Prem
TNS’ comeback victory over third place Haverfordwest has made the Cymru Premier a proper two horse race at the top.
The New Saints have now won six straight league matches hunting down leaders Penybont.
The Bridgend-based club beat Flint Town 3-1 on Saturday to leave themselves four points ahead of TNS, albeit having played two games more.
With the two side set to play on Saturday 23rd, the title may well be on the line at Park Hall.
Results
Friday
Aberystwyth Town 3-1 Newtown
Saturday
Cardiff City 1-3 Blackburn Rovers
Wrexham 1-0 Mansfield
Tranmere Rovers 2-1 Newport County
Barry Town 3-2 Connah’s Quay Nomads
Briton Ferry 0-1 Caernarfon Town
Penybont 3-1 Flint Town
Cardiff Met 3–3 Bala Town
Sunday
Burnley 1-0 Swansea City
The New Saints 2-1 Haverfordwest County
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