THE New Saints completed their pre-season preparations with a comprehensive nine-goal demolition of Ilkley Town at a sunny Park Hall.

The West Yorkshire League visitors were always going to be on a hiding to nothing and they did well to keep a clean sheet for the first half-hour despite constant home pressure.
Matthew Berkeley led the way with a hat-trick, beating the keeper from close range after good work out on the left by Aeron Edwards.
Several chances had already gone begging and it took a good save to deny Jamie Wood, who then set-up Chris Seargeant for a 12-yard finish just before the break.
The introduction of half-time subs Steve Abbott, Craig Jones and Scott Ruscoe didn't bode well for the plucky but outclassed visitors and so it proved as the floodgates soon opened.
Berkeley grabbed his second from a Craig Williams pass, Abbott held the ball up well from Barry Hogan for Williams who then turned provider for Craig Jones to net a 12-yarder.
Abbott's knock down from a Jones right-wing cross opened the door for Berkeley to complete his hat-trick before the keeper, who was otherwise outstanding, allowed a Danny Holmes long range effort to slip through his grasp into the corner of the net.
Berkeley created the eighth for Hogan and Abbott finished off the scoring after Ruscoe's shot had rebounded in the six-yard box.
Ilkley found it hard to get into the Saints' half, forcing just one corner late in the game, but almost snatching a consolation with the last kick of the contest.
It will be tougher against Prestatyn Town when the Welsh Premier gets under way on Friday night, but Andy Cale's men will go into the game in good form and in great heart.
Earlier in the day, The New Saints XI lost 5-1 to Cammell Laird Reserves.
Photo: Steve Evans goes close to scoring from a corner.