With back-to-back JD Welsh Premier League fixtures between the sides, we don’t have to go very far into the past for this one. In fact, less than a fortnight, as Bala Town visited Park Hall for what was another massive game for The New Saints of Oswestry Town.

The incentive for Scott Ruscoe’s side was clear – win and go back to the top of the table. With Connah’s Quay Nomads leading the way by two points, nevertheless TNS FC was still in the driving seat with a couple of games in hand.

However, you have to win them and when Stuart J Jones popped up as we approached the two-thirds stage of the game to give the visitors the lead, it wasn’t the opening goal that everyone associated with The New Saints wanted.

Just two minutes later though, when Chris Marriott was fouled on the edge of the box, up stepped Ryan Brobbel to fire home the free-kick.

It was the Northern Ireland U21 international who put his side into the lead half a dozen minutes later, when he fired home from a tight angle, with Jamie Mullan and Blaine Hudson involved in the build-up.

As we entered the final quarter of an hour it was game, set and match, as Greg Draper sealed the win and the three points for The New Saints.

With last week’s action for both Connah’s Quay Nomads and The New Saints being in the JD Welsh Cup, the table remains the same for TNS’ game at Maes Tegid this Wednesday (April 3, 2019).

The incentive is just as great though for Scott Ruscoe’s side, in fact arguably even more so. Win and it’s four points advantage over Andy Morrison’s Nomads, with both teams having played the same number of games.

Lead image from the 3-1 victory against Bala Town. Credit: Brian Jones.