The New Saints secured the JD Cymru Premier title for a record-extending 16th time following a 4-0 win over Cardiff Met on Saturday.
Following Connah’s Quay Nomads’ defeat to Bala Town on Friday night, the Saints knew that victory against the Archers at Park Hall would make them uncatchable at the top of the table.
They did that in style and led by three goals at the break thanks to a brace from Brad Young and one from Ben Clark. Young completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot late in the second half to wrap up the win and the title.
It is a third consecutive title for TNS and a 16th in total – nine more than the next most successful club, Barry Town.
It has been a phenomenal season for Craig Harrison’s side, who are yet to lose in the JD Cymru Premier – taking 74 points from a possible 78 so far – and they will hope to complete an unbeaten campaign with six league matches remaining. They have won their last 24 games in succession in all competitions.
The Saints are half way to what would be an unprecedent quadruple of trophies. Having lifted the Nathaniel MG Cup in January and now the JD Cymru Premier, they face Airdrieonians in the SPFL Trust Trophy final later this month and also have a JD Welsh Cup semi-final against Cardiff Met to look forward to.
“I’m really pleased,” Craig Harrison told Sgorio. “This is what we work hard for all week and all season. We’ve had a fantastic lead [in the table] for a while now, but until it’s done it’s not done.”
“We are expected to win every year, but you need to go and do the job,” captain Chris Marriott added. “You’ve got to be switched on at all times and it is still a great achievement and something we need to celebrate.”
Brad Young added: “We are over the moon, and to get my hat-trick too I am over the moon personally. But it’s not over, we go again with more games coming up that are really important. I’ve come here to win trophies and I’ve won two so far, but we’ve got two more that we want to win.”
