PRINCIPALITY WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE THE NEW SAINTS 0-0 LLANELLI AFC Saturday 7 Feb 2009 / Park Hall

Matthew Berkeley gets a shot past a Stuart Jones challenge.

IT was a case of mission accomplished for Llanelli as they held The New Saints in a goal-less draw at Park Hall.
The Reds had clearly set their stall out for a draw and saw the job through to the finish, despite playing for two-thirds of the game with 10 men.
Chris Holloway managed to pick-up two yellow cards within the first 36 minutes, the second for a scything tackle on Barry Hogan, and was red-carded by referee Mark Whitby.
Llanelli had caused some early concern in the home defence from an Andy Legg long throw but, although TNS enjoyed the majority of attacking possession, they were rarely able to trouble the visitors’ defence and were caught offside on countless occasions.
The best chance of the first half fell to the Reds, when Mark Jones had his effort saved by keeper Paul Harrison.
Scott Ruscoe had a great opening to make a breakthrough straight after half-time, but his shot was too close to visiting keeper Ashley Morris, who saved comfortably.
The Saints brought-on striker John Toner for defender Duane Courtney and started to build-up the pressure in search of a winner.
Ruscoe fired wide of the far post from Berkeley’s lay-off while Tommy Holmes fired over from a narrow angle following a one-two with Alex Darlington.
Toner hit a post from Darlington’s through ball, but was offside anyway and Holmes again went close from Wood’s cross.
Toner headed onto the frame from Ruscoe’s cross and Darlington saw his 15-yarder saved before joining Holloway in the dressing rooms for a challenge on Morris.
Man-of-the-match Steve Evans almost capped his return to TNS with a dream winner, going close with a header, but Llanelli held out for a draw which leaves the Saints further away from recapturing their title.