The New Saints extended their advantage at the top of the JD Cymru Premier table with a 2-0 victory over Colwyn Bay at the Blue Turtle Arena on Friday.
The league leaders went close to taking the lead three minutes into the second half when Ryan Brobbel’s curling effort took a wicked deflection off Alex Moore and struck the post. However, they were ahead six minutes later as Brobbel’s low cross was turned home by Jordan Williams, who netted his 23rd league goal of the campaign.
Bay nearly found an immediate equaliser, but were also denied by the woodwork as Jordan Davies’ low cross ricocheted off Harrison McGahey and back off the post.
TNS were awarded a penalty in the 66th minute after Lewis Sirrell fouled Rory Holden inside the area, with Brobbel stepping up to make no mistake from the spot and score for the third consecutive game in Phase Two.
The Saints are now 12 points clear at the top of the table after second-place Connah’s Quay Nomads were held to a goalless draw by third-place Penybont at the DragonBet Stadium in Saturday’s early kick-off.
Max Woodcock had a glorious chance to give the Nomads an early lead when he was left unmarked from Rhys Hughes’ cross, but the Scot could only head over the bar from close range. Noah Edwards also went close for the visitors as he received Abdi Sharif’s backheel, but saw his low effort pushed away by Luke Armstrong.
A much quieter second half saw both sides go home with a point each, which keeps the Nomads – who are now unbeaten in 17 league games – 10 points clear of Bont.
Haverfordwest County strengthened their place at the top of the Play-Off Conference with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Bala Town at Ogi Bridge Meadow on Friday.
The Bluebirds scored twice in the space of four minutes to open up a two-goal lead by the half hour mark as Kyle Kenniford fired home the rebound from Corey Shephard’s saved effort for his first goal for the club, before Shephard fired a thunderous strike into the top corner from distance.
Bala goalkeeper Joel Torrance made fine saves to deny Greg Walters and Ben Ahmun, but Haverfordwest eventually grabbed their third goal in the 80th minute as Shephard tucked away the rebound after his initial strike was blocked by Nelson Digbeu.
JD Cymru Premier
The Bluebirds have now won all three games in Phase Two so far and are three points clear at the top of the Play-Off Conference after eighth-place Cardiff Met were held to a 1-1 draw by bottom-of-the-table Llanelli Town at Cyncoed Stadium on Friday.
Joe Lloyd put Llanelli ahead in style with just seven minutes on the clock as he received Rio Booth’s pass, looked up and sent a dipping strike into the bottom corner for his first league goal of the season.
The Reds had two key chances to double their lead, but Met goalkeeper Ewan Griffiths came kept out both Sean Cronin’s header at the back post and Danny Williams’ low drive.
Those stops proved crucial as the Archers equalised seven minutes into the second half as Ryan Reynolds laid the ball off to Jasper Payne, who fired across goal and beyond Alex Pennock via the post.
The result ends Llanelli’s seven-match losing streak, but the Reds remain 19 points adrift of safety with seven games left to play – they could be relegated next weekend if results do not go their way.
Barry Town United earned their first win of Phase Two by triumphing 2-0 over Caernarfon Town at the Go Goodwins Stadium on Saturday.
Ieuan Owen came agonisingly close to giving Barry the lead when he rose highest from Mikey George’s cross and saw his header rattle the crossbar. However, the Linnets did find their breakthrough on the stroke of half-time as Ben Margetson tapped home from Will Richards’ flick-on for his fifth league goal of the season.
Margetson turned provider to wrap up victory for Barry late on as his touch from Dan Smith’s low cross was perfectly weighted for Ollie Hulbert, who fired into the roof of the net to seal all three points. The Linnets remain sixth in the table, but are now just three points behind fourth-place Caernarfon, who still await their first win since the split.
Flint Town United moved four points clear of the relegation zone following their goalless draw with Briton Ferry Llansawel at the Essity Stadium on Saturday.
Both goalkeepers made important saves for their respective sides in the second half as Flint midfielder Ben Hughes saw his powerful low drive tipped past the post by Will Fuller before Ferry forward Ollie Anderson met Keiran Williams’ cross and forced Jack Flint into a diving save.
Fuller made another crucial stop to keep the visitors’ clean sheet intact as he used his feet to keep out Osebi Abadaki’s deflected strike from the edge of the area. There was drama following the full-time whistle as an altercation involving Sam Snaith in the midst of Kian Jenkins’ corner resulted in a second yellow card for the Ferry striker.
Weekend results in full:
Cardiff Met 1-1 Llanelli Town
Haverfordwest County 3-0 Bala Town
The New Saints 2-0 Colwyn Bay
Penybont 0-0 Connah’s Quay Nomads
Caernarfon Town 0-2 Barry Town United
Flint Town United 0-0 Briton Ferry Llansawel
