PRINCIPALITY WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE NEATH FC 1-4 THE NEW SAINTS Saturday 7 March 2009 / The Gnoll

Alex Darlington grabbed a brace.

THE New Saints' first-ever league visit to The Gnoll ended in a 4-1 victory which keeps them on the coat tails of Rhyl and Llanelli, who both bagged three points.
A brace from Alex Darlington and goals from Scott Ruscoe and Duane Courtney secured the win over Neath, but the Saints were forced to battle after conceding an equaliser.
On as a half-time sub, Matthew Berkeley helped to make the initial breakthrough, when his ball into the box was ferried right by Darlington to Courtney, whose cross was met at the far post by a downward header from Tommy Holmes for Darlington to claim the final touch on the line.
But the Eagles hit back 10 minutes later when Andy Hill stepped-over a right wing pass from Rob Folland and Kerry Morgan netted at the far post.
But TNS were back in front on 72 minutes thanks to a fine individual effort from Ruscoe, who picked-up John Leah's ball into the box before shrugging-off Sean Cronin and beating keeper Wyn Walters from 12 yards.
Darlington's free-kick on the edge of the area then beat Walters just inside his left post before Courtney grabbed the goal of the afternoon with a 20-yard screamer into the top corner.
With Carmarthen losing at home to Rhyl, the win strengthens the Saints' European claims.
"Europe is obviously a priority, it's a must to be honest," said assistant boss Mike Davies after the game.
"The league looks impossible, but we're never going to say never and, until it's mathematically impossible, we'll keep going."