Ben Clark uses his head, again

For the second game on the bounce, Ben found the back of the net. Last week, he scored in the 83rd minute to rescue a point against Aberystwyth Town, this time it was at the one-third stage, as he brought TNS back into the encounter.

Again, as per Park Avenue, it was a powerful header from the energetic youngster, who also had an excellent game overall. His goal meant that the sides went into the break 1-1.

 

Blaine Hudson secures the three points 

After a spell out injured, it’s good to see the centre-half back in the side. His contribution to the team effort is more than just defensive though, as he proved this weekend, by snatching a late winner.

In added time, as the clock ticked towards the final whistle, up popped Blaine, as he pounced on a goalkeeping mistake to tuck the ball away.

 

Five-point lead at the top

Blaine Hudson’s late goal was devastating for the visitors, who had battled extremely well. However, for The New Saints, it proved the difference between one and three points on the day.

Not only that, but it means that there is now a five-point gap over Connah’s Quay Nomads at the top of the table, with both sides having played nine.

In third place though, is Bala Town, who have a game in hand over the top two, and the potential to close the gap to just three points.

 

Clean sheets and the big picture

With the opening seven games all producing clean sheets, the side has conceded four in the last two.

However, for as much as Scott Ruscoe will be looking to get back on track as far as that statistic is concerned, he’ll also be encouraged by the fact that the side has come from behind three times in those matches, to eventually secure four points from six.

The big picture is, going into the second-quarter of the season, eight wins and one draw from nine games, top of the table with a five-point lead, with more goals scored and less conceded than anyone else.

 

The first team to score thirty goals this season

With thirty-one in the goals for column, it means that The New Saints is leading the way on that front as well this season.

Not that he will need reminding, of course, but it was Sean Pemberton’s own goal that hit the thirty mark.

For the benefit of perspective and context, behind TNS is Bala Town (22) and Connah’s Quay Nomads (18), which means that it’s another impressive statistic indeed.