The New Saints will seek to consolidate their traditional position back on top of the JD Cymru Premier table with two north Wales derbies this week.
On Tuesday evening, they host Flint Town United and on Friday night they head to Bala Town.
After the crushing blow of losing at home in their opening fixture they have now risen to the top following Caernarfon’s 2-1 home defeat to Penybont last weekend – albeit on goal difference.
Three games in eight days for all the clubs is going to test their resources, but TNS boss Craig Harrison, who has just celebrated his 400th game in charge at the club, is much happier now than he was a few weeks ago.
“It was a slow and disappointing start to the season, possibly because of our disappointing European campaign, but we are up and running again now,” said Harrison in the wake of last weekend’s 3-1 win at Cardiff Met.
“The first half was excellent in Cyncoed and we were as good as we have been all season.
“We’ve had some good performances of late and the strikers are starting to hit the target.
“Football has changed quite a bit since I had my first spell at TNS. When I went to TNS my wife was six months pregnant and now my daughter is 13.
“There are only two players, Ryan Brobbel and Adrian Cieslewicz, and two members of the back room staff, Chris Sargeant and Nigel Spender, who are still here from the last time I was in charge.
“I’ve got a good long term relationship with the owner, Mike Harris, and I’m still enjoying what I’m doing. I’ve calmed down a little bit but the will to win is still there.
“It’s been 400 games in charge at TNS and 625 games all told in professional football. I love my job and I feel privileged to have been working in the game since I was 15.”
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Flint Town will have to stand down their two TNS loan stars Jake Canavan and Ben Woollam.
Lee Fowler’s Silkmen had to settle for a goalless draw at home against Barry Town United last weekend, although they might have taken all three points had Josh Jones not missed from the penalty spot for minutes from time.
Caernarvon Town will be aiming to bounce back after losing their unbeaten record, and top spot, in their 2-1 home defeat to Penybont.
Rhys Griffiths side, who finished as runners-up last season, are now third in the table, one point behind the top two.
The Cofis head to Connah’s Quay Nomads on Tuesday night and then welcome Cardiff Met on Sunday.
They will need to pick up points to stay in touch with the leaders.
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Penybont make the short trip to Cynoed to meet Cardiff Met on Tuesday evening before hosting newly promoted Colwyn Bay at the weekend.
Griffiths will be hoping for more goals from summer signing Noah Daley, who grabbed both goals last weekend in Caernarvon and now has seven in the league to date.
Buoyed by picking up their first point since a goalless draw with Colwyn Bay last weekend, Llanelli Town will head to Briton Ferry Llansawel On Tuesday night before hosting fellow basement side Haverfordwest County at Stebonheath on Friday night.
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