Llanelli 2 The New Saints 1
Monday 6th September 2010, 8:53PM BST.
Down to 10 men for the second week running, the Saints succumbed to their title adversaries in a hard-fought Welsh Premier affair at Stebonheath Park, writes JOHN BRIDGWATER.
Even at this early stage of the season, both camps were wary of the importance of the televised clash that at times threatened to boil over.
And the Oswestry men were up against it after defender Tommy Holmes got his marching orders eight minutes before the break when retaliating to a challenge from Reds midfielder Chris Venables.
Still feeling incensed that an earlier tackle from Wyn Thomas had gone unpunished, several TNS players became involved in a mass brawl before Holmes was red-carded by referee Mark Whitby.
The Saints were already a goal down at the time after Rhys Griffiths hammered an 18-yarder past Paul Harrison and, moments after Holmes’ dismissal, Llanelli doubled the advantage through former Lincoln City wingman Owain Warlow.
TNS hit back with a well-taken Alex Darlington goal from a Barry Hogan cross to give themselves hope for a second-half revival.
Matty Williams and sub Matt Berkeley both went close to levelling before the departure of wingman Craig Jones with a hamstring strain added to the Saints’ growing injury list.
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