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Druids impress against tough opposition
Druids returned to Welsh Premier League action, with the same old doubters questioning their ability to be competitive in Phase 2. (The same doubters who said they would be relegated the last two seasons! )
With a nothing to lose attitude Druids walked onto the pitch facing the title favourites but with no fears or doubts in the players minds. They played a superb game of football and came close to securing all 3 points.
It was all guns blazing from both sides to start the game as Arek Piskorski struck a rasping effort wide of Paul Harrison’s goal inside a few minutes, but Connell Rawlinson went one better a few minutes later for the visitors as he put Scott Ruscoe’s side 0-1 up by heading home a free-kick.
The next half hour saw both sides contest a frantic battle to get the all-important next goal, and it was the home side who made the telling impact on the scoresheet to cap off what would be a wonderfully exciting spell where three goals were scored in the final phases of the half.
Alec Mudimu curled home a beautiful strike into the top corner after 39 minutes to draw the scores level, but the champions responded in first half stoppage time as Rawlinson got his double after a scramble in the box to score at what looked like a very crucial time, which could have killed off the game. Druids went one better with the final kick of the first half, however, as Piskorski made it 2-2 and drew the scores level at the death in a superb half of football.
Druids continued to be incredible industrious in the second half and frustrated the champions regularly; it was the home side’s James Davies, in fact, who went closest to scoring the next goal after 67 minutes, but he scuffed the chance wide. The champions had a great chance at the end of the game to snatch all three points, but Aeron Edwards couldn’t capitalise and Druids had earned a fully deserved point.
The next match is away against Bala Town on Thursday 8th Feb at 19.45.
Druids 2- 2 The New Saints
Goalscorers:
Druids Mudimu '38, Piskorski '45 + 2 / TNS Rawlinson '8 & '45
Attendance: 374
Referee: Huw Jones
