Taking an early lead
Fresh from their Nathaniel MG Cup final victory, Bala Town would have been confident ahead of the game at Park Hall.
We know from past experiences how the Lakesiders always have the ability to throw a spanner in the works as far as encounters against The New Saints are concerned.
Therefore, it was a big plus when, in the sixth minute, Ryan Brobbel opened the scoring. You can watch the build-up to the goal via the Sgorio highlights, which began when Danny Redmond played a superb cross-field pass, with the ball eventually finding Brobbel courtesy of a Josh Daniels cross from the right.
Dominating possession but just a slender advantage at the break
As it happened, that early goal didn’t become the catalyst for more, which so often has been the case for The New Saints this season.
Although dominating possession, there were no more goals during the first period.
While it was still 1-0, the visitors knew that they were very much in the game.
Two bites of the penalty cherry
Just five minutes after the break, the league leaders were handed a golden opportunity to extend the lead when a penalty was awarded.
The first kick from Declan McManus was saved by Alex Ramsay but the referee pointed again to the spot, with Bala Town players in the area before it was taken.
This time, with Ramsay again going in the right direction, between him and the crossbar McManus was again denied.
A brace for Ben Clark
Fortunately, the penalty miss didn’t prove to be costly as just sixteen minutes later Ben Clark made it 2-0.
Eleven on from there, and with Clark scoring his fifteenth goal of the season in all competitions, it was game, set and match.
With assists from Brobbel and McManus, again the goals were well-worked as The New Saints ended 3-0 winners.
What an excellent season Clark is having, and for those who have been following the fortunes of the club for many years, it’s great to see his development from Academy youngster to first-team star.
It’s looking good in the JD Cymru Premier
With Connah’s Quay Nomads losing 2-1 in Pembrokeshire to Haverfordwest County, the victory against Bala Town means that Craig Harrison’s side now has a lead of sixteen points at the top.
With just ten games to go, although nothing is mathematically secured, nevertheless it is a good place to be in.
Still unbeaten after twenty-two league games and having scored 83 and conceded just 8, The New Saints can look ahead to the final ten games full of confidence and self-belief.
One thing is for sure though, nothing will be taken for granted by either staff or players and there will be no sitting back whether on or off the pitch.
Lead image courtesy of Brian Jones.
