Saints alive after Euro woe
THE New Satins overcame the bitter disappointment of going out of the Europa League on penalties as they moved to the top of the JD Cymru Premier league with a 2-0 home win over Cardiff Met.
Polish wing Adrian Cieslewicz struck on the struck of half-time with his third goal of the new league campaign to set them on their way to a second successive victory. That dented the visitors’ effort and 14 minutes into the second half Adam Black conceded an own goal.
With a two goal cushion TNS were able to cruise to victory and take a two point lead at the top of the table over five other teams.
In the chasing pack are reigning champions Connah’s Quay Nomads, who had a first half goal from Kris Owens to thank for their 1-0 home win over Penybont.
That brought a triumphant end to an otherwise turbulent week for the Nomads, who lost three players to Covid-19 ahead of their Europa League defeat to Dinamo Tbilisi.
Bala Town were the other Welsh team involved in European action and they had a 91st minute goal to thank for a 2-1 home win over Cefn Druids. It was a cruel end to their first game of the season for the Ancients who looked to be on course for a great point on the road.
Having seen Bala take the lead through a Will Evans goal on 31 minutes, the Druids hit back in the second half with an equaliser from Naim Arsan. But Bala came good in the end and in the first minute of injury time they stole the win with a winning strike from Nathan Peate. Having been forced to miss their opening two matches by the FAW after an alleged Covid-19 return to play protocol, the Ancients will have felt pretty hard done by not to leave with something to show for their efforts.
What a difference a week made for Barry Town United. Beaten 3-0 at home on the opening weekend they hit three goals of their own to beat Caernarfon Town 3-1 at Jenner Park in their second outing.
A brace of goals from Kayne McLaggon and a bullet header from Curtis McDonald in between allowed Barry to make amends and stop their visitors from going top of the table.
In the other Saturday fixture, Nick Ruston scored twice to earn Newtown a 2-2 draw at Haverfordwest County as he matched two goals for the home side from Jack Williams.
On Friday night, Aberystwyth won 3-1 at home against Flint.