Mold Alexandra vs The New Saints Match Recap - Oct 18, 2025

The New Saints withstand spirited Mold Alexandra in 2-1 Welsh Cup triumph, extend commanding run

In a Welsh Cup tie pulsing with local anticipation and promise, The New Saints (TNS) further cemented their reputation as Wales’ dominant force, edging Mold Alexandra 2-1 in a contest that demanded poise and resilience from both sides. The result, forecasted by many but shaped by the tenacity of underdogs, offers a nuanced snapshot of both clubs’ trajectories as the autumn winds gather in North Wales.

Mold Alexandra, energized by the home crowd but drawn to unfamiliar territory in terms of venue, wasted little time asserting themselves. The opening minutes saw Mold pressing high, leveraging the momentum gleaned from their recent 3-0 away victory at Rhyl—a result that injected belief into a squad otherwise weathering choppy form in the FAW Championship. For all their early pressure, it was TNS who drew first blood, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to slot the game’s opening goal past Mold’s keeper midway through the first half. The New Saints’ proficiency in front of goal is well-documented, with 3.6 goals per game over their last five matches underscoring their attacking pedigree. The opener not only quieted the home support but underscored the gulf between TNS’s fluid attacking machine and Mold’s evolving defense.

Yet, Mold Alexandra were not to be daunted. Their cup run, marked by stubborn resistance and a knack for late drama, found fresh expression as the hosts responded before halftime. A swift counterattack saw Mold’s number eleven—whose pace had troubled TNS’s back line—break free and convert at the near post, restoring parity and igniting fresh hopes. As the interval arrived, the match’s narrative shifted from one-sided expectation to the possibility of an upset, and the two sides entered the break deadlocked.

The second half opened with a measured tempo, both teams wary of overcommitting. TNS, boasting a 90% win rate across recent fixtures and a string of sweeping Premier League victories—6-2 over Penybont, 3-1 at Caernarfon Town—showed why they are the bookmakers’ favorites, controlling possession and probing for weakness. Mold, for their part, dug deep, demonstrating the defensive resilience that had delivered a 1-0 road win at Brickfield Rangers earlier in the campaign.

The match’s turning point arrived in the 67th minute. TNS’s midfield orchestrator, Leo Smith, found space between the lines and threaded a pass to forward Aramide Oteh, whose clinical finish restored the visitors’ lead. Mold rallied, pressing for an equalizer with renewed urgency, but TNS’s organization and a couple of fine stops from goalkeeper Nathan Shepperd preserved the narrow advantage.

As full-time approached, Mold grew increasingly desperate, risking numbers forward and leaving themselves exposed. TNS nearly added a third on the break, with Rory Holden rattling the crossbar in the dying moments. The referee’s whistle closed out a contest that, despite its predicted outcome—a 1-2 TNS win being the most likely foreseen by analysts—offered a full measure of cup drama and local pride.

For Mold Alexandra, this defeat brings a sobering end to their Welsh Cup campaign but offers valuable lessons as they return to league play. Their patchwork form—two wins, two losses, one draw in the last five—leaves them mid-table in the Championship, but tonight’s performance suggests a squad capable of troubling more illustrious opposition on their day. Their next fixtures will test whether today’s fighting spirit translates into sustained league momentum.

The New Saints, meanwhile, continue to stride imperiously, extending their unbeaten run and reinforcing their credentials as cup and league favorites. Their 2-1 victory is less a surprise than a confirmation of their status, yet the manner of triumph—requiring composure under pressure and clinical execution—speaks to a team well-drilled for the rigors of knockout football. With a 90% win rate and an attacking arsenal firing on all cylinders, TNS appear set for another deep cup run, the silverware already glinting in view.

While history may paint TNS as perennial favorites, today’s match proved the Welsh Cup’s enduring capacity for unpredictability. Mold Alexandra, for all their relative lack of stature, gave the giants a genuine contest—one that will echo in local folklore and, perhaps, fire the ambition of squads across the Championship. The stakes, as ever, only rise from here. Both teams leave with something to ponder: TNS with the reassurance of victory, Mold Alexandra with the knowledge they can unsettle the best. The road toward the cup’s final rounds promises stiffer tests ahead, but for now, The New Saints march on, another hurdle cleared, their quest for domestic double glory entirely intact.