TNS in last day title clash

After nine months of action, the destiny of the Welsh Premier title will come down to a top-of-the-table shootout on the final day of the season.

While The New Saints did the necessary in defeating Llanelli in the Park Hall sunshine, title rivals Bangor City also kept their hopes alive by winning 2-1 at Neath to stay one point behind.

And the scene is now set for next Saturday, when the leading duo come face to face in the title decider at Bangor’s Farrar Road ground – an outcome that league officials could only have dreamed of when planning the end of season fixture.

The Oswestry men would dearly have liked to have been crowned champions yesterday with the league trophy present at Park Hall, but it was not to be as Bangor showed their resilience with a fine win at Neath.

Boss Mike Davies is neverthless relishing the weekend showdown after watching his side comfortably dispatch Llanelli in their last home outing.

“When were were 16 points behind at one stage this season we would have taken this,” he said. “Every game has been so tough, but we’ve shown good character to be where we are and we now need one big effort on Saturday.”

The defending champions were well worth the points against Llanelli, taking a 13th minute lead when Craig Jones crossed from the left for Sharp to convert.

Rhys Griffiths headed the visitors level eight minutes later from Jason Bowen’s cross but, as the chances flowed, two quickfire goals in the second half meant TNS were not to be denied.

Former Bangor striker Sharp restored the lead with his seond goal, a stunning 20-yarder that flew into the top right hand corner on 53 minutes.

Then, five minutes later, Matty Williams increased the margin from the penalty spot after Stuart Jones had handled Scott Ruscoe’s cross from the left.

After that, the Saints were always in control as the destiny of the title race goes down to the wire on Saturday.

By John Bridgwater