THE NEW SAINTS recorded their fifth successive win on Tuesday night as they thrashed Barry Town United 6-0 at Jenner Park.
The win dents Barry’s hopes of securing third place in the table as they slip six points behind Bala Town.
Ryan Brobbel helped himself to four goals on the night, as he inspired his side to an important three points in South Wales.
The result keeps Anthony Limbrick’s side top of the JD Cymru Premier on goal difference, with Connah’s Quay Nomads also tasting victory against Caernarfon Town.
Unlike recent Saints matches, when the deadlock has been broken in the early stages, it was an evenly matched start, with both sides enjoying chances in the opening minutes.
With five minutes played, Paul Harrison was the first of the goalkeepers tested, and pulled off a comfortable save to deny David Cotterill, before Ben Clark forced Mike Lewis into action down the other end two minutes later.
Lewis was forced off injured with just a quarter of an hour played, with former Carmarthen town man, Lee Idzi, his replacement. His first involvement was to deny Adrian Cieslewicz in the 22nd minute, as The Saints began to look more threatening.
That proved to be the case in the 26th minute when the opening goal did eventually arrive, and it was the in-form Ryan Brobbel who got it.
After his initial shot was blocked, the Northern Irelandunder-21 international received the ball back from Chris Marriott, and he made no mistake in smashing the ball past Idzi from inside the box at the second time of asking.
Down the other end, Kayne McLaggon almost got his side immediately back into the game, as he went close with an edge-of-the-box strike, although Paul Harrison appeared to have it covered.
The Saints found their stride following the opener and started to enjoy the majority of the possession as the game wore on.
Pushing for the second goal, The Saints were rewarded with 31 minutes played, as Adam Roscrow rounded off a well-worked move from close range.
It was great play by Clark, who got away from the covering defender under pressure, and put the ball on a plate for the former Wimbledon man to extend his side’s advantage from the edge of the six-yard box.
Just four minutes later, Limbrick’s side were celebrating again, and it was Ryan Brobbel who grabbed his second of the night.
A quickly taken free-kick reached the number eight in a central position, from which he carried the ball forward into the box. Brobbel’s clever finish with the outside of his foot left the goalkeeper with no chance, and the ball nestled into the far corner of the net.
Leading 3-0 at the break, the league leaders had the match as good as won, but extended their advantage further just three minutes after the restart. Ryan Brobbel completed his hat-trick, sneaking in an effort through a crowded penalty area, following Jon Routledge’s ball from the left.
Ryan Astles got in on the act in the 52nd minute, when he met a Blaine Hudson header at the back post following a Chris Marriott corner.
From two yards out, the defender couldn’t miss, and he headed home to continue his side’s ruthless streak.
Limbrick’s side weren’t done there either, as Brobbel sensationally scored a fourth goal of the game in the 57th minute.
It was another fast breakaway, and the ball ended up at the feet of the midfielder, who sold the covering defender and sent Idzi the wrong way.
There were chances for The Saints to extend their convincing lead further, as Hudson hit the woodwork and had a goal disallowed for a foul in the build-up, but Gavin Chesterfield’s side held firm for the remainder of the match, and The Saints left Jenner Park with a convincing 6-0 win.
On Saturday, April 17, TNS will look for a sixth win in a row when they take on their closest title challengers in Connah’s Quay Nomads.
Barry will look to get their European hunt back on track as they travel to third placed Bala Town in a crucial match. 7��T�’v�
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