WELSH PREMIER
CONNAH’S QUAY NOMADS were no match for The New Saints in the Welsh Premier topof-the-table clash as defensive errors allowed the champions to extend their lead at the summit to 21 points with a 3-0 victory.
The reigning champions and current leaders have now gone 22 league games without defeat and made a dream start when Scott Quigley gave them a fourth-minute lead with a magnificent volley to beat John Rushton in the home goal after Wes Baynes misjudged the bounce of Simon Spender’s pass.
Nomads had a good spell just after the halfhour mark with James Owen having a chance, only for Saints to clear their lines with a lastgasp clearance.
Then Les Davies headed well wide for Nomads from a Nathan Woolfe cross with the goal at his mercy and Nicky Rushton’s shot drew a routine save from Paul Harrison.
Saints had a chance to double their lead on 38 minutes from a breakaway move which set Greg Draper free but the normally deadly Kiwi striker struck his shot straight into the arms of Rushton.
Saints doubled their lead with two minutes of the restart as Draper capitalised on another Baynes error to break clear of the Nomads defence and coolly slot the ball past a stranded Rushton for his 11th goal of the campaign.
Nomads slipped further behind on 58 minutes when they failed to deal with a ball lofted into the area and it fell for Connell Rawlinson to smash his shot past a hapless Rushton.
Davies had a chance to snatch a consolation effort but headed against the crossbar as Saints ran out comfortable winners.
Meanwhile, Rhyl’s poor form continued as they were thrashed 5-0 at Carmarthen Town.
The hosts went ahead in the 11th minute through a Kyle Bassett strike and Mark Jones doubled the lead 10 minutes later.
The West Walian outfit sealed the win with second-half goals from Liam Thomas and Declan Carroll, either side of a Rhyl red card for Chris Durkin. Mark Sharples also saw red for Rhyl before Liam Thomas got his second goal.
Aberystwyth Town followed up their Welsh Cup win over Holywell Town with a comfortable 3-0 victory against Cefn Druids.
Geoff Kellaway finished off a neat one-two pass to slot Aberystwyth Town ahead midway through the first half. Mike Pritchard then missed a penalty for Cefn Druids before Aberystwyth scored two late goals from Luke Borelli and Kostya Georgievsky.
Bangor City left it late to steal a 2-1 victory against struggling basement club Airbus.
The Citizens took an early lead with a Dan Nardiello header but despite creating several good chances, they failed to add to their lead and Jake Hulley fired in an equaliser on the stroke of half time.
Both sides had shots cleared off the line and goals ruled out for offside before Anthony Miley volleyed in a free kick at the death to spare Bangor’s blushes.
Bala Town extended their unbeaten run to 10 games with a 3-0 success over Llandudno. After a goalless first half, Mike Hayes struck twice and Mark Connolly netted in the final minute to secure the win.
Elsewhere, a left-footed strike from Will Evans saw Cardiff Metropolitan edge out Newtown with a 1-0 victory.