JD CYMRU PREMIER
THE New Saints’ relentless march towards a record extending 16th JD Cymru Premier title continues after running riot 8-1 at Caernarfon Town.
Former Aston Villa striker Brad Young plundered his third hattrick of the season to inspire the win and moves him on to 19 league goals for the season.
The 21-year-old opened the scoring less than two minutes in at the Oval, steering a Jordan Marshall corner beyond keeper Lewis Webb.
Caernarfon were level just six minutes later courtesy of a sublime Sion Bradley effort but three goals in a five-minute spell saw the visitors seize control.
Adrian Cieslewicz beat Webb at his near post to restore TNS’ lead on the half-hour mark before then scored his second in as many minutes.
TNS were 4-1 ahead at the break with Young turning home Cieslewicz’s centre on 34 minutes.
Cieslewicz was once again the provider four minutes after the restart, slipping in Young to complete his treble.
Rory Holden and Blaine Hudson extended the lead even further before Holden grabbed his second to round things off.
The result also made it 23 consecutive wins in all competitions for Craig Harrison’s side.
Elsewhere in the Championship Conference, a stunning sixminute first half hat-trick from George Newell inspired third placed Bala Town’s crushing 5-1 win at Newtown.
Osebi Abadaki put Bala ahead after 13 minutes but Louis Robles pulled the Robins level with a 20-yard curler 10 minutes later.
However the game turned on Newell’s treble, as he grabbed three goals in six minutes either side of the half-hour mark to put his side 4-1 up and leave the hosts stunned.
Abadaki grabbed his second four minutes before the hour to wrap up a comprehensive win for Bala.
In the Play-Off Conference, Pontypridd Town’s recent resurgence continues as they moved out of the bottom two with a 4-0 thumping of Colwyn Bay in their basement clash.
Kieran Lewis and Owen Richards put Pontypridd two goals up at the break before Ben WilliamsMargetson made sure of victory with number three six minutes from time. Luke Gullick, who returned to the club earlier this month, grabbed the fourth just a minute after coming on.
The result leaves Colwyn Bay rock bottom while Aberystwyth Town drop into the bottom two.
Aberystwyth, though, did collect a morale-boosting point at Penybont where Liam Walsh’s late leveller earned them a 1-1 draw. Ryan Reynolds had earlier given Penybont the lead.
There was also late drama at Jenner Park where Rhys Abbruzzese’s 96th equaliser snatched a point for Haverfordwest from a 1-1 draw with Barry Town United.