Saints seeking revenge over Old Golds

Feb 9 2008 by Our Correspondent, Western Mail

WELSH PREMIER leaders The New Saints are seeking revenge for their FAW Premier Cup defeat to Caernarfon today.

Ken McKenna’s side returned to top spot last week following a home victory over Porthmadog and the Saints boss feels his two debutants, Kevin Towson and Paul Henry, made a big difference.

Towson opened his account with the first goal in that 4-1 win and 20-year-old Henry was named man of the match.

“Paul will give us a bit more bite in midfield,” said McKenna, glad to return to winning ways following rare successive defeats.

Carmarthen will be without suspended Neil Smothers and Sacha Walters, but Danny Thomas, Greg Coombes and Paul Cattlin return.

“TNS always seem to be able to bounce back quickly from a blip, but we think we can take something from our first visit to Park Hall,” said Old Gold boss Deryn Brace.

Llanelli, a point adrift of TNS, will be without Stuart Jones for the visit of improving Caernarfon Town, who eased their relegation worries with a 2-0 midweek home victory over Caersws.

Reds boss Peter Nicholas feels there will be a good deal to play for before the title is decided.

He said, “With 11 matches to play, they are all difficult games. All we can do is to concentrate on our results as we cannot influence what happens with TNS.”

Two of the remaining matches are head to heads between teams with plenty to play for.

Bangor City continue their pursuit of European football when they visit struggling Caersws, while rock-bottom Llangefni Town are in desperate need of points at Haverfordwest.

Neath host Newtown without suspended Stephen Pockett, while David Burrows is extremely doubtful. But Dale Evans and Billy Timothy both return.

Last night Rhyl moved to within seven points of second-place Llanelli following a 2-0 victory over Airbus UK at Broughton.

Craig Jones put the visitors ahead thanks to an embarrassing goalkeeping error and Marc Lloyd-Williams it the other.

A last-minute goal from sub Aden Shannon saved Welshpool a point against plucky Connah’s Quay Nomads at Maes-y-Dre.

The game finished 1-1, Sam McNutt’s corner deflected into his own net by a home defender before Shannon was left unattended at the far post in injury-time.

Two goals in a minute just before the interval resulted in a 1-1 draw between Newi Cefn Druids and Porthmadog at Plaskynaston.

Ken Holsgrove netted for Druids, Marcus Orlik for the visitors.

Port Talbot stretched their unbeaten sequence at Park Avenue to five matches after an impressive 4-2 success over a disappointing Aberystwyth outfit.