The Saints won 6-3 in the end but not before a few scary moments in a 15 minutes spell where Newbridge were on top with the score at 4-3.
The Saints started bright with efforts from Ben Bevan, Josh Wisniewski, Sam Mayglothling and Kevin Jones all going close before a Wisniewski header opened the scoring from a Gavin Williams pinpoint cross. Bevan then quickly made it two slipping the ball under the diving away keeper, Kevin Jones got the third after Bevan and Williams linked up on the left. Rhys Thomas pulled a goal back for Newbridge firing in from the edge of the box, more Saints pressure was piled on the visitors back four but they kept the score at 4-1 going into the break.
The Saints supporters who were thinking this was going to be about 10-1 by the end were in for a shock against the leagues basement side.
It was the visitors who scored next when a mix up by Josh Davies and Bryan Kirkham let in Thomas for his second of the night to make it 4-2, 5 minutes later after several efforts by the away attack the ball fell to Tom Bevan who made no mistake from close range, 4-3. Newbridge with the bit between their teeth got well on top driven forward by Luke Boundford and Neil Davies plus the outstanding Thomas who gave Havard and Preece aa very busy evening. Kirkham in the Saints goal had to make two top draw saves to keep the Saints one goal lead. Manager Fil Wisniewski had to make changes bringing off Snedden and son Josh due to injury and feeling unwell. Russ Jones went into the centre of midfield and gave the side more bite in the middle of the park and the Saints soon got back on top, Kevin Jones picked the ball on the right and jinked by two men and hit a 25 yarder to make it 5-3 to the relief of the home support, Jones also netted with 2 minutes to go for his 4th of the night and the Saints 6th to make the final scrore 6-3.
We were cruising at half time but went to sleep and let them back into the game, with their addition of a few first team players it gave the rest of their side a huge lift. A tough game is what we needed though with a big cup match coming up on the weekend, we got a proper workout out against a good side.
Phil Davies had a very good game at the back, Gavin Willaims was impressive down the flank especially in the first half but my man of the match goes to Kevin Jones for scoring four, especially the last two when we desperately needed them.
Team- B.Kirkham, J.Davies, C.Preece(C), M.Havard, P.Davies, R.Snedden(R.Jones), S.Mayglothling, B.Bevan, G.Williams, K.Jones, J.Wisniewski( J.Daw).