Race for 2nd hots up
THE New Saints struck a psychological blow ahead of the JD Welsh Cup final by beating fellow finalists Penybont 2-1 in the JD Cymru Championship Conference.
It was a fourth successive defeat for Rhys Griffiths’ home side and came after they had had the perfect start with a goal from Ben Ahmun after only six minutes at the SDM Glass Stadium.
That forced the champions to come out and play and Ryan Brobbel levelled matters in the 21st minute.
It was Brobbel at the double in the second half when he smashed home a ball teed up for him by Leo Smith in the 56th minute.
Bala Town and Newtown are still locked in the race for the second automatic European slot for next season after they both came up with 1-0 wins.
Bala made life difficult for themselves at Flint Town United when they had Antony Kay sent off in the 62nd minute.
His dismissal came 12 minutes after Nathan Peate had given them the lead and they were forced to hang on from there on.
Newtown had Fumpa Mwande to thank for their 1-0 home win over Caernarfon Town.
It was his third goal in Phase 2 of the campaign and made it back to back goals in vital wins over Penybont and Caernarfon.
The Lakesiders and The Robins now clash in Bala on Friday in a massive match that could see one of them leap ahead after being tied on 50 points.
● In the Cymru North, Holyhead Hotspur rescued a point with a dramatic late comeback in an eventful match at Buckley. The hosts had taken a 2-0 lead in the second half despite a red card for Asa Hamilton, and that was still the score as the match went into added time – but Hotspur snatched a share of the spoils with goals from Kenleigh Owen and Jay Gibbs on 92 and 97 minutes.
Llangefni drew at home to Ruthin, James Phillips giving them the lead before Harry Owen’s equaliser left them still five points adrift of Prestatyn.
Llangefni next host Holyhead Hotspur on Saturday: only a win in that match and at second-placed Llandudno on April 23 would give them a chance of escaping the slots as it stands.
Bottom club Llanrhaeadr Ym Mochnant are now relegated after their 5-0 thrashing by Colwyn Bay.