The perfect start continues
Following the decision by the FAW to re-schedule the Bala Town v TNS FC game, it means that the 100% start to the 2020/2021 season continues.
With five wins from as many games, it’s been an impressive few weeks since we began the campaign with a 3-0 win at Jenner Park on September 12.
It’s Tight At The Top
There is just one point separating three sides at the top of the table. Connah’s Quay Nomads lead the way with sixteen points, The New Saints sits in second on fifteen, the same as Barry Town United, who have won five on the bounce since the defeat on opening day.
Having played one less game than their rivals, however, means that potentially TNS could be in pole position.
Goals galore
The goals tally continues to increase, as the team becomes the first to pass the twenty barrier. The brace against Newtown puts TNS on twenty-one, five ahead of Connah’s Quay, and to bring the impressive statistic into perspective, nine more than the third leading goal scorers, Aberystwyth Town – who have also played two more games.
Clean sheets
Although goals are usually where the spotlight focuses, let’s not forget the sterling work at the other end either. Yet to concede in the JD Cymru Premier this season, even forgetting added time, that’s 450 minutes of football played.
In the title-winning 2014/2015 season, The New Saints kept a clean sheet for nine consecutive games. Beginning on January 25 in a 3-0 win against Bala Town in the Welsh League Cup final, the ninth was also against the Lakesiders, on March 14, and again 3-0, this time in the league.
Dean Ebbe
Specifically focusing on yesterday’s game, a second-half double from Dean Ebbe secured the points for The New Saints. Not allowing sentiment to get in the way of the plans for the match, Greg Draper’s five goals against Flint Town United the previous Saturday, didn’t influence team selection and he was replaced in the starting line-up by Ebbe.
Ultimately, it is about the team and the big picture, and the decision proved to be a positive one, as goals in the 48th and 60th minute were the difference between the sides come the final whistle.
Lead image: Brian Jones
