All systems go for Neath's visit
Saturday 04 February 2012
IT'S all systems go for a return of Welsh Premier action to Park Hall on Saturday as the artificial pitch has beaten the ovenight freeze for the visit of Neath.
With the majority of fixtures already postponed, the clash of the league's only full-time sides is a mouthwatering start o the second phase of games.
Newly-confirmed in the manager's seat at The Gnoll, Kristian O'Leary is in charge of a Neath side that can boast an 11-match unbeaten run, culminating in a 3-1 Welsh Cup win at Flint Town United last weekend.
"I have to admit I am not a great fan of the surface, but at least we look like being guaranteed to play even with frost," O'Leary says.
"It's a disadvantage to visiting teams, but Saints are similarly disadvantaged playing away on grass, so perhaps it evens itself out."
The earlier meeting between the sides in Oswestry ended with a convincing 3-0 win for the Saints, when Neath had defender Kai Edwards red-carded, but O'Leary is convinced his side are now a much stronger unit.
"We were naive then, but we have learned a lot since, but we were also handicapped by injuries and a sending off," he added.
"I'm happy with what I've got, the lads are working hard and enjoying their football.
"The next three months are crucial and Europe is our target, but so it is for the top six and the bottom six, so it's all to play for with little margin for error."
O'Leary is without suspended midfielder Matty Collins in an otherwise full-strength squad, while TNS management duo Craig Harrison and Carl Darlington have Matty Williams and Chris Williams both sidelined with injury.
Photo: Greg Draper was among the scorers against Neath back in September.
Honours board TNS FC
Champions 1999/2000 2004/5 2005/6 2006/7 2009/10 2011/12
Runners-up 2001/2 2002/3 2003/4 2007/8 2010/11
WELSH CUP
Winners 1995/6 2004/5 2011/12
Runners-up 2000/1 2003/4
LEAGUE CUP
Winners 1994/5 2005/6 2008/9 2009/10 2010/11
WELSH INTERMEDIATE CUP
Winners 1992/3
CYMRU ALLIANCE
Winners 1992/3
Runners-up 1991/2
WELSH NATIONAL LEAGUE
Runners-up 1995/6 1994/5 1990/1
LEAGUE CUP
Winners 1995/6
Youth Section League Winners 1997/98
Runners-up 1996/97
YOUTH LEAGUE CUP
Winners 1996/97 1997/98
CENTRAL WALES SENIOR CUP
Winners 1998/99
Runners-up 1997/98
CENTRAL WALES CUP
Runners-up 1992/93
J.EMRYS MORGAN CUP
Winners 1973/74
Runners-up 1972/73 1981/82 1982/83 1992/93
MONTGOMERYSHIRE AMATEUR LEAGUE
Division 1
Winners 1968/69 1969/70 1970/7 1982/83, 1986/87 1991/92 1992/93 2005/6 (Reserves)
Runners-up 1971/72 1972/73 1973/74 1974/75
Division 2
Winners 1980/81
Runners-up 2003/4 (Reserves)
LEAGUE CUP
Winners 1962/63 1965/66 1968/69 1969/70 1970/71 1973/74 1974/75 1991/92 1992/93 2005/6 (Reserves)
Runners-up 1959/60 1968/69 1971/72 1981/82 1987/88
VILLAGE CUP
Winners 1961/62 1962/63 1963/64 1965/66 1968/69 1970/71 1984/85 1986/87 1990/91 1992/93 2005/6 (Reserves)
Runners-up 1976/77 1980/81 1985/86 1987/88 1988/89
MONTGOMERYSHIRE CUP
Runners-up 1982/83 1996/97
OTTAWAY CUP
Winners 1992/93
TOMMY JARMAN CUP
Winners 1991-1993