THE New Saints made a happy return to Treflan for only the second time since their permanent move to Park Hall, beating Llansantffraid Village 5-1.
Mike Davies took half his squad to the village, with the others playing in another practice match, but the selection proved too strong for the Mid Wales League hosts, managed by his brother Jamie.
But there was no love lost as the Saints were subjected to a string of over-robust challenges with Llansantffraid eager to show their mettle.
Charlie Proctor went close with two early efforts, as did Chris Williams, before the deadlock was broken on 25 minutes.
Williams beat two markers before squaring for Proctor to net from 12 yards and, five minutes later, added the second himself after a goalmouth melee.
Alex Darlington provided the through ball for Aeron Edwards to beat both a defender and keeper Jamie Haynes on the edge of the box before planting into an empty net, and TNS were four goals to the good by the break, thanks to a superb 20-yard free-kick from Chris Seargeant.
With both Steve Evans and Seargeant injured in the first-half, it was a case of damage limitation after the break with no more subs on hand, but it took a triple save from Haynes to deny Edwards, Darlington and a trialist on the hour.
The fifth goal finally arrived on 80 minutes when Darlington sliced through the home ranks from the half-way line before steering his shot into the corner of the net.
But the Village were gifted a late consolation when keeper Alex Ramsay's attempted clearance hit Kieran Evans and rebounded back into goal.
Photo: Jamie Haynes can't stop Chris Williams from scoring the second TNS goal.