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TNS edge past Bala to go top

Photo by Brian Jones

THE NEW SAINTS moved back to the top of the JD Cymru Premier on Saturday as they saw off third placed Bala by a goal to nil.

With third place now offering European qualification, Bala were keen to keep their grip on that position while TNS were aiming to get back to the top after the Nomads’ surprise defeat to Penybont earlier in the day.

The only goal of the game came in the seventh minute and it earned Anthony Limbrick his first win as TNS manager in his first game in charge.

With only 45 seconds on the clock the visitors were on the attack as Jon Routledge crossed high into the box but Adam Roscrow sent his header over the bar.

The goal came after some neat build up play from the visitors as Adrian Cieslewicz beat his man on the left and cut into the box and after Routledge saw his shot saved by Alex Ramsay, the ball fell to Ryan Brobbel who fired into the roof of the net.

It was just the start that Anthony Limbrick would have wanted and it very nearly became the perfect start as Roscrow crossed into the box a minute later but Cieslewicz saw his effort go wide of the post.

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The hosts had been rattled and Anthony Kay was shown a yellow card after a nasty looking foul.

With 25 minutes gone, TNS had a free kick wife on the left which Cieslewicz took but Ramsay gathered the ball at the second attempt.

Two minutes later the ball was played forward for Ben Clark but after turning inside he curled an effort high and wide.

Bala were then awarded a free kick but it went over everyone and went out for a goal kick.

The hosts began to enjoy a good spell of possession were they won a series of corners but they were unable to test TNS keeper Paul Harrison.

With four minutes to go untul half time Cieslewicz shot from the edge of the area and although it appeared to be going wide keeper Ramsay made a save to make sure it did.

The first half ended with the visitors leading 1-0 and manager Limbrick would have been pleased with how his team had played.

Two minutes into the second half Will Evans shot from the edge of the box but Paul Harrison made the save.

On 55 minutes, the ball fell kindly for Jon Routledge on the edge of the box but Ramsay did well to save his first time volley.

With just over fifteen minutes to go a blocked clearance fell kindly for Chris Venables in the box but he flashed his effort across the face of goal from a tight angle and the ball went just wide.

Bala made a double substitution with ten minutes to go and they very nearly got an equaliser but a header from a corner went wide.

Three minutes of injury time were added on and Bala had two good chances to get a late equaliser. First the ball was played to sub Raul Correia who showed a good touch to control and then loop the ball over his head towards goal but the ball fell onto the roof of the net.

Then, the ball found its way to Venables but he dragged a shot wide.

That was the last of the action as TNS saw the game out to seal the win which sent them back to the top of the table.

On Tuesday, April 13, Bala will look to get back to winning ways when they travel to Penybont while TNS are also on their travels as they take on Barry Town United.

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