The New Saints warned: Take nothing for granted

Fresh from their Nathaniel MG Cup triumph, the Welsh Premier leaders now turn their thoughts to recapturing a trophy they relinquished last season.

And the six-time Welsh Cup winners are under no illusions they face a tricky assignment against the Cofis, who shocked Welsh Premier side Barry Town United 2-0 in the previous round.

The two camps have met in the competition in the past, with TNS hitting back from a two goal deficit to win 3-2 at the Oval three years ago.

And just last October their paths crossed in the Nathaniel MG Cup with TNS prevailing 2-0 in the quarter-final at Park Hall.

In those two meetings, the Canaries - last season’s beaten Welsh Cup semi-finals finalists - did more than enough to show they could prove a handful this evening in front of a vociferous crowd on home surrounds.

Saints boss Scott Ruscoe, whose high-riding side had few problems in sweeping aside Penrhyncoch 6-0 in the previous round, knows they cannot take anything for granted if they hope to progress to the last eight.

“Caernarfon will be a tough game. It’s on grass and their pitch is not the greatest,” he said. “They are a side that is on the up, looking to get into the Welsh Premier next season. They will give it a good go, so we’ll have to be on our guard.”

He will have plenty of attacking options with top scorer Greg Draper pushing for a return after his ankle injury, while new forwards Dean Ebbe and Kevin Dauber are also in contention.

The Saints make the journey in good heart after lifting their first trophy of the season – the Nathaniel MG Cup – with a 1-0 win over Cardiff Met last weekend.