JD CYMRU PREMIER
THE New Saints could have a 14th JD Cymru Premier title in the bag by this time next week following their hard-fought 2-1 win at Flint Town United in the opening game in the 10 match Championship Conference.
Having brought a massive 21 point lead with them from Phase 1 of the competition, Anthony Limbrick’s men carried on where they had left off by picking up another three points at the start of Phase 2.
It was a victory that took them to within two games of the title. They host Bala Town on Tuesday night at park Hall and then receive Penybont on Sunday in what could be the decisive game in their bid for glory after two fallow years.
Flint put up a hell of a fight, particularly in the first half, and the pressure they imposed forced the visitors to conceded three yellow cards on the field and one off it, to their manager Limbrick, in the first half.
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 after spotting the home keeper out of position.
Flint were rocked, but hit back six minutes later when a long throw-in from Sam Phillips caused problems inside the TNS box and Callum Bratley was on hand to volley home from the edge of the six-yard box.
The champions elect were now back in a dog fight, but they survived thanks to a 59th minute goal from Dan Davies – his second in as many matches.
Bala Town overtook both Flint and Newtown thanks to their 2-0 win at Latham Park. With the race on for a place in Europe next season, the Lakesiders couldn’t have got off to a better start as they moved up into second.
Nathan Peate gave them the lead five minutes before the break and then Newtown conceded a second to the prolific Chris Venables half-an hour later as he notched his 14th goal in all competitions this season.
They may only have been moved up into the Championship Conference this week, but Caernarfon Town made a major impact in their opening game in Phase 2 as they thumped Penybont 3-0 at the SDM Glass Stadium. Rising to the challenge, they took the lead with a Darren Thomas goal in the 15th minute.
Mike Hayes made it 2-90 at the break with a 37th minute strike and then added a second five minutes from time.
In the Play-Off Conference, 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 relegation rivals Haverfordwest.
Bottom-of-the-table Cefn Druids came within a few minutes of notching 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 for the visitors.