ROUTLEDGE IS HERO AS TNS CLOSE IN ON TITLE
JD Welsh Premier League champions The New Saints continued their charge towards the title with a 1-0 win over Connah’s Quay Nomads at the Deeside Stadium in the Championship Conference.
Jon Routledge’s fifth goal of the season was enough to separate the sides and help maintain TNS’ 12-point lead at the top.
There was a nervy ending for TNS with goalkeeper Paul Harrison sent off for dissent but substitute stopper Aaron Jones managed to help secure the win.
Bangor City moved into second with a 2-0 victory at Cefn Druids. Steven Hewitt gave the Citizens the lead on the stroke of half-time with a deflected shot. The striker then claimed his second a few minutes later after Yves Zama was fouled in the box.
Meanwhile, Bala Town battled to a 1-0 victory over Cardiff Met to move third. Les Davies found the net in the 15th minute to condemn the Archers to a fifth consecutive defeat.
A hat-trick from James Demetriou helped Barry Town United to a 4-1 win over Llandudno in the Play-Off Conference.
It is as you were in the Huws Gray Alliance with the top two both winning. Leaders Caernarfon Town remain four points clear of Airbus UK Broughton after their 2-0 home victory over Guilsfield.
Darren Thomas opened the scoring with Danny Brookwell wrapping up all three points.
Airbus, meanwhile, enjoyed a 2-0 win of their own at Caersws.
Lance Jones’ own goal on 28 minutes put the Wingmakers ahead before Alfons Fosu-Mensah scored from the penalty spot two minutes after the break.
The big winners of the weekend were Holywell Town, who jumped above Guilsfield into third spot thanks to an 8-0 win over second from bottom FC Queens Park.
Mark Winslade netted a hattrick, Sam Jones and Steve Lewis were at the double while Jon Jones also scored.
Rhyl meanwhile, who are fifth in the division, thumped Gresford Athletic 4-0. James Murphy’s hat-trick inspired Rhyl with Stewart Carroll also scoring from the spot. Bottom side Llandudno Junction are still without a win after a 2-0 loss to Ruthin Town. Gwion Owen and Llyr Morris scored for Ruthin.
Llanelli suffered a setback to their Nathaniel Car Sales Welsh League Division One title hopes when they slipped to a 1-0 defeat by Undy Athletic. Penybont remain on top despite being held 0-0 by Goytre United. But the real beneficiaries of Llanelli’s defeat were Afan Lido who overcame Cambrian and Clydach 2-0.
Briton Ferry Llansawel were in rampant form as they crushed Port Talbot 5-2 courtesy of a brace by Tom Da Silva and goals by Steve Davey, Gareth Jones and Tyler Brock. Cwmamman United sunk to the foot of the table when they lost 2-1 at home to Caerau Ely in a relegation battle while Taffs Well beat Cwmbran Celtic 3-0.