Double crunch looming for The New Saints
Leaders The New Saints will look to close in on another Welsh Premier League crown when they lock horns with both their only realistic challengers in the next five days.
The defending champions host Llandudno at Park Hall tonight before heading to Bala Town next Tuesday in two games that could go a long way to deciding the destiny of the title.
Llandudno and Bala share second spot, nine points adrift of leaders TNS, and defeats for the duo would surely end their slim hopes of mounting a late title challenge.
With just seven games remaining, the Saints already have a fifth successive crown in their sights as they look to stay on course for back-to-back trebles.
But they will not want any slip-ups against their closest rivals, starting with tonight's (7.45pm) visit of a Llandudno side that has excelled following promotion as champions of the Cymru Alliance.
They want European football and underlined their credentials with a 3-2 victory over Bala Town in their last outing. The Seasiders drew 1-1 at Park Hall earlier this season.
Saints boss Craig Harrison knows his side face a stern challenge.
"We've got a tough game against Llandudno, no doubt about it," he said.
"I saw them beat Bala the other week and I was very impressed.
"They're a good team with great spirit. It's going to be a rally tough game for us, but it's a challenge we are looking forward to.
"Retaining the treble was something we had earmarked at the start of the season.
"But it's a massive challenge. Winning it once is hard enough, but to do it twice would rank as the best achievement in domestic Welsh football."
After taking on Llandudno tonight, TNS visit Bala Town on Tuesday in a rearranged encounter at Maes Tegid after the first game was postponed.
