Champions TNS get off to a smooth start

A brace from Alex Darlington on 26 and 59 minutes, his first a terrific solo effort, helped set up a dominant opening day win.

TNS again showed they mean business in pursuit of a fifth successive league crown.

Chris Seargeant found the net seven minutes before half-time with a fine free-kick and, after Darlington had spurned a penalty, substitute Greg Draper got a 78th-minute fourth to settle the issue.

With the rain teeming down at the Bridge Meadow, Craig Harrison's men may have thought they would be in for a tricky afternoon against a Haverfordwest side making their return to the league.

But the visitors bossed the encounter right from the first whistle, with forward Mike Wilde sounding an early warning when heading a good chance against the crossbar.

The Saints continued to dominate the ball and the breakthrough came with 26 minutes gone thanks to a stunning effort from Darlington.

The former Wrexham front-runner launched a strong surge after picking the ball up from halfway, skipping past four defenders before coolly slotting the ball in from eight yards.

The impressive Darlington was once again involved five minutes later with his excellent pass picking out winger Jamie Mullan, who chipped the ball over the bar.

However, the Saints duly doubled their advantage moments later when they were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box and Seargeant curled a sublime strike into the corner of the net.

The second-half began in similar vein with Scott Quigley's powerful strike being blocked, before Quigley then picked out Darlington who headed in his second on the hour for a comfortable 3-0 advantage.

Darlington had a golden chance to complete his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Mullan was impeded in the box, but the forward's spot-kick was kept out by home goalkeeper Scott James.

Haverfordwest rarely threatened, but carved out one promising opening through John Roberts.

He broke forward only to fire into the side netting from a tight angle, after he had been pushed wide by goalkeeper Paul Harrison.

And it was the Saints who had the last word when substitute Draper, who had come on for Wilde, slotted a fourth goal 12 minutes from time just moments after entering the fray.