TITLE RACE IN SAINTS’ HANDS
THE JD Cymru Premier League is nearing the halfway mark with The New Saints nine points clear at the top thanks to a 4-1 win at Bala Town.
But even though his side are well placed, TNS boss Anthony Limbrick isn’t going to allow his players to ease up and still wants more from them as they head into a vital festive period.
“We are happy where we are at the moment, but we are still chasing because we haven’t won the title for the last two years,” said Limbrick.
“We are still trying to improve because there are still a lot of games to go.
“It will only be the halfway mark of the season when we play at Barry this weekend so a lot can still happen.”
Limbrick’s men raced into a twogoal lead at Bala as they knocked the confidence out of the Lakesiders from the off.
Ben Clark opened the scoring and Blaine Hudson made it 2-0 at the break as he scored from a set-piece move.
Declan McManus took his league tally to 14 with a penalty for the visitors in the 68th minute and a minute later Jordan Williams made it 4-0.
Chris Sang’s goal a minute after coming on to replace David Edwards was merely a consolation score for the home side.
Three first-half goals ensured Flint Town United stayed at the heart of the title race as they gained revenge over Haverfordwest County.
Beaten 2-0 in their first encounter, they knew they couldn’t afford another slip-up and goals from Kai Edwards, Michael Wilde – making it 14 for him in all competitions this season – and Jack Kenny eased the nerves at the Essity Stadium.
Jack Williams managed to pull back one goal after the break, but it was too little, too late for the visitors. Kenny picked up a second before the end. Flint’s 4-1 win keeps them three points clear of Newtown and nine behind TNS.
Newtown were forced to come from behind at Latham Park against Barry Town United.
The visitors hit the front in the 18th minute when Jordan Cotterill scrambled in the opening goal of a tight game.
That’s how it stayed until the hour mark when Newtown equalised through James Davies, who cut inside Luke Cummings in the Barry box before hitting the back of the net.
Two minutes later the home side were ahead thanks to George Hughes.
Connah’s Quay Nomads extended their unbeaten run to six games with a 1-0 triumph at Aberystwyth, with Portuguese midfielder Paulo Mendes grabbing the goal.
That allowed them to move up to fifth place and creep into the reckoning for European football next summer.
Sam Snaith gave Penybont a dream start at Caernarfon Town with a goal after only four minutes. They held the lead for almost an hour before Mike Hayes levelled matters.
Penybont earned a 90th-minute winner courtesy of an own goal from former Wales defender Steve Evans to win 2-1. Penybont moved into fourth place and Caernarfon dropped to seventh.
Adam Roscrow netted twice for Cardiff Met as they ended a miserable run of six league games without a win to complete the double over bottom side Cefn Druids at The Rock with a comfortable 3-1 victory.
Charley Edge made it 1-1 early in the second half, but Harry Owen put the students back in front before Roscrow rounded things off.