DRAW IS ENOUGH TO SEAL TNS TITLE
THE New Saints ground out the draw that guaranteed they retained the JD Cymru Premier League with five games to go.
The point they took from the 0-0 draw at the Deeside Stadium against Connah’s Quay Nomads made it 15 titles this century.
“Winning the league with five games still to go is testament to the winning mentality of this group of players and coaches,” said an admiring manager, Criag Harrison.
Ironically, Harrison started the season at the Nomads before returning to Park Hall. His side has lost only once all season to date to secure Champions League football once again this summer.
“It’s brilliant and it’s what is expected of us. It is also a sweet moment and one I will cherish,” added Harrison, who won six titles, three Welsh Cups and three League Cups in his previous stint at TNS.
“We wanted to go out and win the game and we made changes to try to do that. But it is a difficult pitch to play on against a team that have made it a very difficult place to come and get a result in the last six or seven years.
“We knew we only needed a point to take the title, so perhaps a little bit of human nature crept in. If we weren’t going to win the game, the important thing was to keep another clean sheet.”
TNS dominated the first half, with Nei Gibson’s Nomads side content to sit deep.
Ryan Brobbel went the closest in the 14th minute when his curling effort required a strong hand from home goalkeeper Andy Firth. And when a shot from Declan McManus appeared to strike the arm of Nomads skipper George Horan in the box, there were cries for a penalty.
TNS still have the JD Welsh Cup to defend against Bala Town, while the Nomads will be hoping to stay in second place to take the other automatic qualification spot for European football.
Kane Owen was the hero for
Penybont as they won 1-0 at
Newtown to move to within a point of the Nomads. The home side lost Callum Roberts to a second yellow with 20 minutes to play, although Penybont also had Lewis Harling sent off seven minutes later.
Bala Town and Cardiff Met played out a 0-0 draw in the Championship Conference, while in the JD Cymru Play-Off Conference,
Aberystwyth made it back-to-back away wins by beating Caernarfon Town 1-0.
Niall Flint was the hero for the Seasiders as he came up with the only goal of the game just before the break. Caernarfon’s chances of getting back on terms took a dent when they had Laurie Bell shown a straight red card in the 54th minute.
Haverfordwest County scored four goals against Airbus UK Broughton to extend their lead at the top of the Play-Off section to four points over Caernarfon Town.