An eight-point lead is not enough for The New Saints - boss Craig Harrison
Craig Harrison insists there will be no complacency from The New Saints ahead of their return to JD Cymru Premier action at home to Penybont tomorrow (12.30pm).
Saints have opened up an eight-point lead over second-placed Connah’s Quay Nomads with nine league games of the season remaining.
But head coach Harrison stressed he would like his team to be even further ahead as league leaders as they prepare for the visit of third-placed Penybont.
Harrison said: “It is a healthy position to be in, but we’d like to be further and we feel we probably should be further.”
He added: “But certainly no complacency. We need to win at least the next five games to make sure that we are there or thereabouts and hopefully over the finish line.”
Tomorrow’s match will be the first for TNS since the departure earlier this week of two players who have played a big part in the club’s recent successes.
Adrian Cieslewicz, who was the club’s longest-serving player having joined in August 2014 from Faroese side B36 Torshavn, has signed for JD Cymru Premier rivals Caernarfon Town. Cieslewicz made 380 appearances for the Saints across all competitions, scoring 98 goals.
Josh Daniels has also left Park Hall, with the former Shrewsbury Town man returning home to Ireland to sign for NIFL Premiership side Glentoran.
Daniels joined TNS in June 2022 and made 119 appearances for the club, finding the net 13 times.
“Both have been fantastic,” said Harrison.
Two more players have also departed TNS this week, with former Shrewsbury Town defender Kade Craig leaving the club by mutual consent, while forward Louis Phillips has returned to JD Cymru South Newport City on loan for the rest of the season.
Saints have already got the better of Penybont, this weekend’s opponents, twice in the league this season. TNS were 2-0 winners at the DragonBet Stadium in August before enjoying a 6-2 victory in the reverse fixture at Park Hall in October.
