THE NEW SAINTS beat Barry Town United 3-0 on Saturday (May 8) as they set up a thrilling finale to the JD Cymru Premier season.
The win sent Anthony Limbrick’s men top of the table temporarily but Connah’s Quay’s win saw them go back to the top.
It means that going into the final game of the season, TNS sit just two points behind the Nomads.
A second-half Ryan Brobbel brace, either side of an Adrian Cieslewicz goal, wrapped up the points for Anthony Limbrick’s side, who, with their win, ensured that this season’s JD Cymru Premier title race will go down to the wire.
The hosts had a flurry of chances to open the scoring in the early stages, with Jon Routledge, Danny Redmond and Ben Clark all causing problems for the visiting defence inside the first 10 minutes.
Adam Roscrow and Ryan Brobbel then sent efforts wide of the target, before the latter had a free-kick deflected behind for a corner.
The Saints continued to search for a way through the red wall of Barry defenders, and Redmond curled an effort wide of the post in the 27th minute, as he threatened again.
Enjoying a rare excursion forward, Curtis Jemmett-Hutson had the visitors’ best chance of the half, sending a powerful volley into the arms of Paul Harrison, just minutes before the break.
It was the perfect start to the second-half for Limbrick’s side, as after just 43 seconds, Ryan Brobbel fired his side in front. The number eight connected with Jamie Mullan’s well-timed ball across the box, and grabbed his 11th goal of the season from close range.
The team in green and white continued to apply the pressure, and both Keston Davies and Adam Roscrow went close with headers in the 52nd and 53rd minutes.
Then it was the turn of Jamie Mullan to try his luck, but the midfielder’s backheeled effort was blocked at the near post.
With 63 minutes played, The Saints head coach turned to his substitutes bench, as Adrian Cieslewicz replaced Adam Roscrow. It proved to be an inspired change, as just two minutes after his introduction, Cieslewicz had found the back of the net.
It was a great assist by Ben Clark, who teed up the Polish winger inside the area, and the former Wrexham man made no mistake in doubling his side’s lead.
The result was put beyond doubt in the 71st minute, when referee, Rob Jenkins, awarded a penalty for a foul on Redmond.
Brobbel stepped up and smashed the ball into the top corner of the goal, giving Barry goalkeeper, Mike Lewis no chance whatsoever, as he helped himself to his second goal of the afternoon.
With three minutes to go, the visitors had an effort cleared off the line, but The Saints held on for their clean sheet and a 3-0 result, which sets up an enthralling final day of the season next Saturday, as Bala Town visit Park Hall for a 12pm kick-off.
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