TNS close in on title

FIRST was facing second at Park Hall last night when champions-inwaiting The New Saints hosted Bala Town in the JD Cymru Premier, after the Mail went to press.

The Lakesiders rocketed up to second on the back of a convincing 2-0 win at Newtown as TNS triumphed 2-1 at Flint Town United.

Penybont’s 3-0 home defeat to Caernarfon Town meant they dropped out of the European places to allow Bala to step up.

But while there was a jostling of position in the minor placings, TNS are now a mere two wins away from securing a 14th title. They could be crowned champions next Sunday if they overcame Bala and then Penybont at home on Sunday.

Having brought a massive 21-point lead with them from phase one of the competition, Anthony Limbrick’s men carried on where they left off by picking up another three points.

Flint put up a fight, particularly in the first half, and the pressure they imposed forced the visitors to concede three yellow cards on the field and one off it, to manager Limbrick.

It looked as though an upset might be on the cards, but then Jordan Williams curled a shot into the far corner of the net from the edge of the box.

Flint hit back six minutes later when a long throw-in from Sam Phillips caused problems inside the TNS area and Callum Bratley volleyed home from the edge of the sixyard box.

The champions-elect were now back in a fight, but they survived thanks to a 59th-minute goal from Dan Davies, his second in as many matches.

There were a few heart-in-mouth moments for Limbrick as Flint kept pressing to the end, but his side stayed strong to take the win.

Bala overtook both Flint and Newtown thanks to their 2-0 win at Latham Park. With the race on for a place in Europe, the Lakesiders couldn’t have got off to a better start as they moved into second.

Nathan Peate gave them the lead five minutes before the break with a towering header from a corner and then

Newtown conceded a second to the returning Chris Venables half an hour later as he notched up his 14th goal in all competitions this season.

They may only have been moved up into the Championship Conference last week, but Caernarfon Town made a major impact in their opening game in phase two as they thumped Penybont 3-0 at the SDM Glass Stadium.

Rising to the challenge afforded them by the 18-point deduction applied to reigning champions Connah’s Quay Nomads for playing two ineligible players, they took the lead with a Darren Thomas goal in the 15th minute.

Mike Hayes made it 2-0 at the break with a 37th-minute strike and added a second five minutes from time.

In the Play-off Championship, Cardiff Met and Connah’s Quay played out a goalless draw, while Barry Town United’s miserable run continued as they slumped to a 1-0 home defeat to Haverfordwest County.

Bottom side Cefn Druids came within minutes of claiming their first win of the season against Aberystwyth Town as they led 3-2 with 89 minutes played.

Then Owain Jones popped up to level.

JD CYMRU NORTH LLANGEFNI Town

notched just their third win of the season with a welcome 2-1 win over Gresford, first-half goals from Josh Stanley and Jack Smith enough to lift them off the bottom alongside Llanrhaeadr’s loss to Ruthin. Holyhead Hotspur also claimed all three points with a 2-0 victory over Conwy Borough, Liam Morris and Dylan Summers-jones netting.

AIRBUS UK Broughton underlined their title credentials with a 3-0 win at Colwyn Bay to stay three points clear of Llandudno at the top.

Jake Eyre fired home a first-half penalty and added a second to make it 2-0 at the break before Beau Cornish finished things off in the second half.

Llandudno were 4-1 winners at

Llanidloes Town, with Shaun Cavanagh scoring twice as they raced into a three-goal interval lead.

They are now three points behind Airbus but have played one game more.

Guilsfield’s last hopes of staying in touch at the top fell apart at Penrhyncoch, where they were beaten 3-0.

Two goals in as many minutes by Josh Shaw in the opening quarter gave the home side the perfect start and Ifan Burrel complete the rout in the second half.

Pontypridd Town ended a run of five games without a win by beating Taffs Well 3-1 to stay in the fight for the title in JD Cymru South.

Sam Johnson gave them a 15thminute lead before an own goal from Scott Hillman doubled the lead before the break.

Jordan Knott then extended the lead in the second half before Jan Maertens grabbed a consolation effort for the home team. Leaders Llantwit Major beat Carmarthen Town 1-0.

In the Ardal North-west Y Felinheli were held 2-2 at struggling Brymbo, while in the North Wales Coast West Premier Bangor 1876 moved within four points of leaders Bodedern with a 3-1 win at Pwllheli.

Both return to league action on March 19, with 1876 at Llanrug and Bodedern seeking to extend their 100% league record to 19 games at