By David Parsons
The New Saints may be a bit pre-occupied with their European campaign at present, but they showed no signs of easing up on their domestic dominance of Welsh football as they kicked off the defence of their Nathaniel MG Cup title with a 5-1 home win over Flint Town United.
It turned out to be a good dress-rehearsal for Craig Harrison’s team ahead of Tuesday night’s Europa League third round clash with Moldovan champions, FC Petrocub.
That tie kicks-off at the Stadionul Zimbru in Chișinău at 6.00pm UK time, with the second leg to follow at Park Hall on Tuesday 13 August (6:30pm).
Harrison was able to rest the majority of his first-team line-up and still win at a canter to reach the third round.
Our European campaign continues in Moldova, as we take part in the UEFA Europa League for the first time since 2020.#UEL pic.twitter.com/oJypIOQ2qz
— The New Saints FC (@tnsfc) August 4, 2024
This weekend sees the Saints launch the defence of their JD Cymru Premier League crown.
With 16 titles already in the bag, and last season’s secured without losing a game, they are all set to dominate once again.
It’s not that the other teams are giving up, but it has become the annual ‘Mission Impossible’ quest for the likes of Connah’s Quay Nomads and the rest.
“With the depth they have to their squad, and the budget they play with, I think TNS could even hold their own in League Two,” said Connah’s Quay Nomads manager Neil Gibson.
“They have 23 players who would be first choice in any other side in the league. We all look to pick up players who have just fallen out of the Football League, while they are able to sign players from there.
“The Nomads have been second for the last three years and we managed to beat them in the Welsh Cup final last season.
“In a one off game against them, if you play to your full potential, then they are beatable, but over a full season where you play against them four times it is a different story.
“There is fierce rivalry in the Cymru PremierLeague and we all have to try to raise our standards to keep challenging TNS.
“We’ll all keep on pushing and the battle for European places at the end of the season will drive everyone on once again.”
https://twitter.com/tnsfc/status/1820110387062141437
Like TNS, the Nomads have been playing in Europe this summer and they got their domestic season off to a flying start with a 3-0 win at Buckley Town in the Nathaniel MG Cup.
Fumpa Mwandwe, Luca Hogan and Tyler Berry grabbed the goals.
Cardiff City’s youngsters made it two in a row in the Nathaniel MG Cup as they beat Pontypridd United 3-1.
Junior Reindorf netted twice for the Bluebirds, who were followed into the next round by the other remaining invitational team, Merthyr Town.
https://twitter.com/the_nomads/status/1811480513078522223
Ricardo Rees, in the first half, and Kane Simpson, in the second, got the goals for the Martyrs as they triumphed 2-0 at home against Ammanford.
Barry Town United needed penalties to go through at Jenner Park after drawing 1-1 with Llanelli Town.
They lost Josh Yorwerth just before the break after he picked up two yellow cards in the space of three minutes and it was left to Evan Press to slam home the winning penalty to save the blushes of the Linnets.
https://twitter.com/welshfootie/status/1818382812682371354
