Craig Harrison pleased with TNS levels after stalemate in league opener

Head coach Craig Harrison was pleased with the efforts of The New Saints as they collected a point in their opening Cymru Premier match of the season.

Following the heartbreak of being knocked out of Europe on penalties by Estonian champions Flora Tallinn last Thursday night, TNS were quickly back in action as they drew 0-0 at Penybont on Sunday.

Leo Smith, Danny Davies and Jordan Williams all went close to a breakthrough for Saints as the match at the DragonBet Stadium ended goalless.

Given the context of his side kicking off their league campaign so soon after playing 120 minutes in the UEFA Conference League last Thursday, head coach Harrison highlighted the work put in by his players in South Wales.

He said: "Certainly off the back of having less than 72 hours to prepare for it, a really tough game on Thursday, going into extra time, so I'm really pleased that we finished much the stronger for the last 20, 25 minutes.

"The boys were fantastic, the shift they put in. Most of the game we dominated and again we just got in that final third and we just need to make a little bit better decisions.

"But apart from that, I thought the boys were brilliant considering going to extra time less than three days ago, to travel and then play a really tough and really strengthened Penybont team.

"You look at the players they've brought in to strengthen them. They've made their intentions clear with the people that they've signed from the English Football League and from the National League.

"They've had two, three weeks to prepare for that game, we've had a quick turnover and then we've dominated the game."

Harrison was impressed with how TNS defended with goalkeeper Nathan Shepperd well protected by a defence well marshalled by Dynel Simeu and Jack Bodenham.

Speaking after the game at Penybont, he added: "I think we played well on Thursday night, I think we played really well again today.

"We were never really under any threat. I think the biggest threat we had is from set plays and direct play from Penybont.

"We all know they're strong, they're direct, they want to try and get in behind you, they throw the ball in, long throws, and they try for set plays, they're very good at it.

"Rhys (Griffiths) has got them very organised, but I thought we dealt with that brilliant. I thought our goalkeeper, and Dynel and Bods, marshalled that back line fine. Nathan Shepperd's not had a save to make, not one save to make."

TNS, Cymru Premier champions for the last five seasons, are at home to Haverfordwest County on Friday night (7.45pm).”