New Saints survive a fright against Caernarfon Town

The victory was the 13th consecutive win in all competitions and Craig Harrison’s side are now unbeaten in their last 28 matches and nine points clear at the top of the JD Cymru Premier.

As is often the case, the league leaders made a fast start, and it took just four minutes for the first chance to arrive.

The Saints began the brighter with Josh Pask testing Caernarfon goalkeeper Harri Thomas before Declan McManus fired wide inside the opening 10 minutes.

However the North Wales visitors had the chance to break the deadlock when Sion Bradley went down in the area only for Adam Davies’ 12th minute penalty to be saved by Connor Roberts.

Caernarfon led from the resulting corner with Ben Wynne heading home despite home protests of a foul on Ashley Baker in the build up which led to his immediate withdrawal from the game with injury.

Action from TNS' victory Caernarfon Town. Picture by Andrew Donnison.

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Although the visitors held the advantage, Craig Harrison’s side were still dominating possession, albeit struggling to find any fluidity in the final third as the Canaries defence held.

In the 25th minute, Tom Jones worked an opening on the edge of the box, but Thomas was equal to the effort

McManus also had another opportunity six minutes before the break, but Gruffydd Williams made an important interception to prevent the Scottish striker from getting a shot away.

The Saints continued to fashion chances after the break and Rory Holden had a couple of openings within the first seven minutes.

Action from TNS' victory Caernarfon Town. Picture by Andrew Donnison.

Caernarfon were still a threat on the break and Adam Davies could have added a second for his team with a long range effort in the 55th minute.

McManus headed straight at Thomas as another chance went begging for the home side on the hour.

The pressure finally told with 12 minutes remaining with Jordan Williams lashing home following a surging right wing run.

TNS led just three minutes later as captain Chris Marriott unleashed a powerful left footed strike in the far corner of the net.

Substitute Brad Young had a chance to seal the win six minutes from time but failed to find the target from a tight angle but the Saints had already done enough to celebrate a 13th consecutive victory in all competitions.

Next up for the league leaders is a first vs second clash, as Harrison’s side travel to Connah’s Quay Nomads on New Year’s Eve.

TNS: Roberts, Pask, Marriott, Routledge, McManus, D Williams (Young 68), J Williams, Holden (Clark 71), Davies, Baker (Redmond 17), Jones. Subs: Edwards, Harlock, Smith, Dafydd.

Caernarfon: H Thomas, Cartwright, Faux, G Williams, Bradley, Gosset, A Davies (Clarke 64), Maher, Wynne, Lloyd, Griffith (Mooney 45). Subs: Pritchard, M Williams, M Davies.