The New Saints 2 Bala Town 0 - Report

Anthony Limbrick’s 10-man TNS held their side of the bargain with a 2-0 final-day victory over third-placed Bala, but the Nomads edged Penybont 2-0 in south Wales.

The results mean it is Connah’s Quay crowned champions for a second year running - and the first in a fully completed season - with 79 points, two clear of the Oswestry Saints.

A runners-up spot in Cymru Premier means no Champions League football for TNS for a second season on the spin, and Limbrick’s men will instead enter the brand new UEFA Conference League, the new European tournament launched underneath the Europa League.

Their European adventure will begin early, in less than two months, in the first qualifying round on July 8.

Saints knew they had to beat Bala and hope Connah’s Quay dropped points to claim the title and they started well with Ben Clark’s early opener.

Unfortunately Nomads had struck even earlier in south Wales - although Saints’ rivals had to wait until very late for ex-TNS man Aeron Edwards to seal the title with a second.

TNS’ Ryan Harrington was dismissed for a cynical foul inside 20 minutes, which resulted in a change of momentum. But Limbrick’s men held on until the break and started the second half well, extending their lead through Adrian Cieslewicz.

There was a sense of D-Day around Park Hall ahead of kick off for the 32nd and final fixture of the Cymru Premier season - for title-deciders both at Oswestry and Penybont in front of no spectators.

TNS made no secret of their displeasure at the way the title was awarded to the Nomads last season, when the Covid-19 pandemic brought an early resolution to the 2019/20 and the title went the way of their Flintshire on a points-per-game method.

Then-boss Scott Ruscoe was confident his Saints side would’ve gone on to overhaul Connah’s Quay, while the club unsuccessfully mounted a legal challenge.

Fast-forward to the end of the following season and two leading lights of the Welsh top flight locked horns on the final day, albeit some 140 miles apart.

There had been a change at the top for the Saints, as Australian head coach Limbrick replaced Ruscoe, who was surprisingly axed midway through the campaign, shortly after a few months’ lay-off due to lockdown restrictions.

The new boss, previously Woking chief and No.2 at Grimsby, enjoyed success in his first game in charge - at home of today’s visitors Bala, one of four wins from four early on.

But a 4-1 reverse at rivals Connah’s Quay inflicted heavy damage, before back-to-back 0-0 draws against Caernaerfon Town and the Nomads cost Saints more points.

Limbrick made two changes from the Saints side that enjoyed a 3-0 victory over Barry Town seven days earlier.

One was enforced, with midfield regular Danny Redmond missing out through suspension after collecting a fifth yellow card against Barry. He was replaced by Cieslewicz.

Forward Louis Robles also made his return to the side, replacing record-signing Adam Roscrow, who dropped to the bench.

Bala went into the curtain-closer comfortable in third place after an impressive campaign. They had a significant 14-point buffer over Penybont, hosts of the other title-deciding fixture.

Colin Caton made five changes to his visiting side as Bala turn their attentions to the end of season play-offs for Europa League places next season.

Limbrick had promised his side would fight until the end in assuring the result against Bala goes their way, but there was barely time to settle in the torrential Park Hall rain before news Saints chief didn’t want to hear crept through from Bridgend.

Leaders Connah’s Quay raced into a 1-0 lead at Penybont through skipper George Horan’s goal.

It had been an even start in Oswestry, but TNS quickly found their stride and began to move the ball well.

And the breakthrough came just 10 minutes in. Deep-lying midfielder Clark’s intelligent run was picked out by Robles’ fine pass, Clark sprung the offside trap and opted to round Bala keeper Harri Lloyd inside the box for a simple finish.

It was the academy graduate’s eight goal of a breakthrough campaign.

The early goal in Bridgend meant it was advantage Nomads and the odds were stacked against TNS further still 19 minutes in as, despite their lead, they were down to 10 men.

Right-back Harrington, in for the injured Simon Spender, failed to deal with a bouncing ball midway through his own half, and played a weak no-look backpass that was seized upon by Kieran Smith.

Harrington pulled back the shirt of the attacker outside the box and referee Iwan Griffith was in no doubt over a straight red card. TNS argued that covering defenders across the backline could have got back in time.

The dismissal saw goalscorer Clark shifted to right-back as Limbrick shuffled his pack.

That decision curtailed any early Saints momentum as Bala started to turn the screw, seeing far more of the ball.

A fine cross from the right was just over the head of Daniel Gosset in front of goal before Kieran Smith volleyed over from distance for the visitors.

Bala did not do enough to trouble the Saints backline, with Jon Routledge recovering excellently to see off Smith as he looked to pounce in the box.

A sharp low strike from Bala talisman Chris Venables from distance had Paul Harrison scrambling in the Saints goal 10 minutes before the break, but the effort flew a foot wide.

Saints’ slender lead at the break was matched by their rivals at Penybont, who had failed to build on the early advantage in south Wales.

Saints needed the break to re-organise and address the man disadvantage that had left them in the unfamiliar position of chasing possession.

Limbrick’s words at the break worked a treat as his side came out of the traps much brighter following the interval. Defender Keston Davies had a strong claim for a penalty turned down by the official after being held by Nathan Peate from a free-kick.

But the hosts got their reward for a strong opening to the half with a second goal. Ryan Brobbel’s switch from the right was collected on the left side of the box by Cieslewicz, who buried a fine low finish across Lloyd and in.

It was a fine, crisp finish from the Saints favourite.

The second sparked Bala back into life and the visitors went close to pulling one back as Will Evans’ long-range strike flew just wide.

Bala wrestled back control of the ball but openings were few and far between, while Cieslewicz in particular for TNS was lively on the break.

TNS just needed a Penybont equaliser amid reports of the south Wales hosts missing a chance, before former Saints winger Edwards doubled the Nomads’ lead and all-but assured the title got away from his old side.

Harrison kept TNS’ side of the bargain with a fine late save from Bala’s Smith but the damage was done elsewhere as Connah’s Quay began title celebrations that will live long into the night.

Teams:

The New Saints (4-2-3-1):

Harrison; Harrington, Davies, Astles, Marriott ©; Clark, Routledge, Mullan (Bailey, 86), Cieslewicz (Draper, 79), Brobbel (Smith, 69); Robles (Holland, 79).

Subs not used: Williams, Hudson, Roscrow.

Bala Town: (4-5-1):

Lloyd; Burns, Peate, Stephens, Smith; Mendes (Leslie, 56), Kay, Evans (Davies, 72), Smith, Gosset (Jones, 61); Venables ©.

Subs not used: Ramsay, Kelly.

Referee: Iwan Griffith

Attendance: Zero