The New Saints sealed the JD Cymru Premier title on Saturday afternoon as Brad Young’s hat-trick and Ben Clark’s strike secured a dominant 4-0 win over Cardiff Met at Park Hall.
Young scored twice in the opening 22 minutes, providing a deft finish following Danny Redmond’s cutting through ball before clinically firing past Alex Lang after Clark capitalised on a Met defensive error. Clark found the net himself just after the half hour mark as he tucked the ball home from Josh Daniels’ delivery.
It remained 3-0 until five minutes from time, when the Saints were awarded a penalty for Emlyn Lewis’ foul on Young in the box and the Archers defender was shown a straight red card for his troubles. Young converted the spot-kick with a hop, skip and jump technique to secure his fourth hat-trick of the campaign.
It was Connah’s Quay Nomads’ 1-0 defeat away to Bala Town on Friday night that had put TNS in a position to clinch the title.
George Newell’s 56th-minute penalty proved to be the decisive moment at Maes Tegid after Eddie Clarke fouled Osebi Abadaki inside the area.
Friday night’s other game saw Caernarfon Town move up to fourth in the JD Cymru Premier table with a 1-0 home win over Newtown.
Danny Gosset scored the only goal of the game eight minutes before half-time, as he curled a pinpoint shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Zack Clarke had a second half strike ruled out for offside, but the Cofis held onto the narrow lead to claim a crucial three points and their first clean sheet since October.
Pontypridd United moved out of the bottom two thanks to 1-0 victory away at Penybont on Saturday afternoon.
Owain Jones hit the post early on and Ponty goalkeeper George Ratcliffe pulled off numerous saves to keep his side in the match, which proved crucial as Jan Maertins came off the bench to lash in his first goal for the club in the 83rd minute.
Penybont failed to fully clear a low cross into the box and the ball fell kindly for the German, who fired beyond Adam Przybek to earn Gavin Allen’s side a third victory in four matches in phase two.
Keenan Patten’s penalty cancelled out Ben Woollam’s stunning opener as Aberystwyth Town and Barry Town United played out a 1-1 draw at Park Avenue.
The breakthrough came in the 11th minute as Woollam intercepted a headed clearance and sent a superb strike into the top corner from distance to grab his first ever goal for the Seasiders in style.
However, Aber’s lead didn’t last long as Patten drew Barry level nine minutes later from 12 yards. A goalless second half saw both sides come away with a point each.
Haverfordwest County remain without a win in phase two after they were held to a goalless draw at bottom side Colwyn Bay.
Kai Whitmore thought he had opened the scoring midway through the second half after heading past Reece Trueman, but an offside in build up to the goal meant it was ruled out.
The Bluebirds remain top of the play-off despite their floundering form, while Colwyn Bay are still bottom of the table and two points adrift of safety.
JD Cymru Premier results
Bala Town 1-0 Connah’s Quay Nomads
Caernarfon Town 1-0 Newtown
Colwyn Bay 0-0 Haverfordwest County
The New Saints 4-0 Cardiff Met
Aberystwyth Town 1-1 Barry Town United
Penybont 0-1 Pontypridd United
