CRAIG’S SAINTS HANDED A SCARE

THE New Saints boss Craig Harrison said there would be no room for complacency as his side clung onto their unbeaten run in the JD Cymru Premier this season with a 1-0 win at Haverfordwest

County.

The Pembrokeshire outfit caused the defending champions more than a few problems, but in the end, it took an 80th minute scrambled goal from substitute Ashley Baker to secure the win.

The Bluebirds thought they had taken the lead five minutes before the break when Lee Jenkins put a cross from the left by Rhys Abbruzzese into the back of the TNS net, only to have it ruled out for offside.

The prize for the table-toppers was to extend their lead over Connah’s Quay Nomads to nine points with a game in hand and they achieved their goal ten minutes from time.

A short corner move on the left led to a cross into the six-yard box that was met by Baker. He had two stabs at it before getting it past Zac Jones.

“Bride Meadow is always a difficult place to come, and it took us a while to get going. In the end we showed our true character to get the win,” said Baker.

“It’s never nice being on the bench but when you are called onto the field you have to go out there and do your job. I like to score goals and I think I’m dangerous in the box.

“We can feel happy with that result and performance. We pride ourselves on keeping clean sheets and that’s now three in a row.

“Now we’ve just got to tick off each game as it comes and move onto Boxing Day.”

Their Boxing Day assignment is a home clash with Caernarfon Town before they then head to the home of their nearest rivals, Connah’s Quay Nomads

on New Year’s Eve.

The only other game played at the weekend was the seven goal thriller at Cwmbran Celtic in the JD Cymru South. Despite coming rom behind three times in the match to make it 3-3 well into added time, Cwmbran found themselves losing 4-3.

That was down to a goal for Cambrian & Clydach Vale’s

David Vincent in the 98th minute – two minutes after the locals had been cheering Alex Bonthron’s penalty that seemed destined to earn them a point.

Vincent and Bonthron had swapped goals in the opening half-an-hour before Cameron Keetch made it 2-1 to the visitors. It was 2-2 at the break thanks to a reply from Lewis Iles, and then 3-2 after a Jay Woodford penalty in the 73rd minute for the visitors.

Then came the late, late drama and a very nice early Christmas present for Cambrian fans.