The JD Welsh Premier League took a more familiar look to it on Friday night after The New Saints climbed to the top of the table for the first time this season.
Chris Seargeant’s early strike was enough to secure three points at Park Hall against previously unbeaten Llandudno.
Saints recorded a fifth-straight clean-sheet in the league to leapfrog Llandudno on goal difference.
Manager Scott Ruscoe was pleased to see his team reach the league summit.
“I was pleased with the three points, there was a talk in the dressing room about where we can do better but that’s just me being greedy,” he said post-match. “It’s very important that we’re top of the league at this present moment – it’s good to be there, it’s where we want to be.
“It was a hard-fought win, they’re very well organised, they’re a good side and well-coached. There were a couple of second-half chances where we could have put the game to bed – as long as it’s one-nil the opposition have always got that chance to sneak a goal.”
Wes Fletcher centred the ball for Seargeant to put The New Saints ahead in the 10th-minute, on his return to the Saints starting line-up.
“It was nice to see Searg get a start again. He started a couple of weeks ago and came back out of the side. We’ve got lots of options in that central area: Darlington, Searg, Aeron Edwards and Ryan Brobbel as well so we’ve got lots of options to use.”
Cardiff Met, third, will be looking to join The New Saints and Llandudno at the top of the table when they visit Connah’s Quay on Saturday afternoon.
Three points would put the Students on equal points with the pacesetters but a defeat to the fourth-place Nomads would see them slip down the table.
Bangor City are also looking to rise up the table when they face former manager Nev Powell’s struggling Aberystwyth Town in the late kick-off in front of the live TV cameras.
Newtown, fresh from a 4-0 derby victory over Aberystwyth last weekend, will be targeting a place in the top-six when they visit Prestatyn Town.
Bala Town risk losing further ground to their European qualification rivals. The highly-fancied Lakesiders have already made their push for Europe an up-hill struggle, with their 3-0 loss to Cefn Druids on Thursday night being their fourth defeat in just six games.
A Kayne McLaggon-inspired Barry Town claimed their second WPL victory following promotion on Thursday. McLaggon scored twice as the Dragons ran out 3-1 winners against Carmarthen Town.
Matchday 6
Barry Town 3-1 Carmarthen, Cefn Druid 3-0 Bala Town, The New Saints 1-0 Llandudno
Connah’s Quay v Cardiff Met (Sat 2.30), Prestatytn v Newtown (Sat 2.30), Aberystwyth v Bangor City (Sat 5.15)
Featured image courtesy of Cefn Druids AFC / Welsh Premier League
