JD CYMRU PREMIER
THE New Saints manager Anthony Limbrick poured more fuel on the fire in the JD Cymru Premier League title race by branding the Deeside Stadium pitch a disgrace in the wake of his side’s 0-0 draw against Connah’s Quay Nomads.
It was a result that left the champions two points clear of their arch rivals with three games to play and leaves Limbrick’s men needing a slip-up from the Nomads in the race for a Champions League spot.
The Nomads had a George Horan header ruled out for a foul and TNS had Danny Redmond sent off for a second yellow in added time.
“The pitch is disgraceful and I don’t know how it can be used at this level. That really stopped us from playing our football and forced us to change our style,” said Limbrick. “It wasn’t a classic and it wouldn’t have been great to watch on TV. That was down to the conditions and the team we were playing against.
“We are a ball-playing team, but we asked them today to match up physically – to head it, to kick it and to get it into the opposition half all because of the pitch.”
Nomads boss Andy Morrison was full of praise of the way in which his side went toe-to-toe with TNS for the second time in a week to put his side within touching distance of back-toback titles.
“It was important for us to finish the game today still on top and with the title race still in our hands. That’s what we got,” he said. “It was an out-and-out battle and I am incredibly proud of the players. We’ve still got to play Caernarfon, Barry and Penybont and the title race isn’t over yet.”
Chris Venables joined the JD Cymru Premier League 200-goal club as he struck twice in Bala Town’s 4-1 win at Barry Town United.
Anthony Kay gave them the lead in the 10th minute, but Barry were back on terms a minute later when Nat Jarvis headed home. Venables then scored twice to give Bala victory.
A 95th-minute equaliser for Caernarfon Town to make it 2-2 at home against Penybont meant Bala cannot now be caught in third place.
James Davies came off the bench for Newtown to hammer home a 14-minute hat-trick against his former club as PlayOff Conference leaders Newtown enjoyed a 7-0 win over Cefn Druids.
By the time Davies entered the fray his side were already three goals to the good. Nick Rushton made it 1-0 and Alex Fletcher grabbed the first of his brace three minutes after the restart. Fletcher struck again on the hour before Davies took over.
Cardiff Met moved third as they overtook Aberystwyth Town thanks to a 5-1 home win. Ollie Hulbert grabbed two with Eliot Evans, Emlyn Lewis and Liam Warman also netting.
Flint Town United beat Haverfordwest County 2-0.