Steve
Anthrobus in action during the 4-0 Welsh Premier win at
Caersws
Saints
put five past Rhyl in the opening game of the Welsh Premier
season
By early January, bookmakers quoted TNS a
1/20 chance to lift the Welsh Premier League title. Three points
clear at the top with two games in hand - a racing certainty!
As we all know, backing odds-on shots in racing is the shortest
route to the poor house, and so it proved in Welsh football.
Barry Town tracked the leaders for much of the race, drew level
at the furlong marker and quickened impressively to the winning
line.
A
long wait, but worth it! Celebrations for John Toner's early
winning strike against Barry Town
So where did it all go wrong for the men from Llansantffraid?
Back in the balmy days of summer, the Saints made an excellent start
to the campaign.
Victories over Rhyl, Caersws, Oswestry Town and defending champions
Barry, laid the foundations for an unbeaten run that would last
until the first day of February.
But, with the exception of a 6-0 away thrashing of Afan Lido, it
was obvious that the Saints’ title challenge would be built
on a mean defence, rather than an expansive attacking policy.
Perhaps the cracks were beginning to show as early as January.
TNS had to rely on an injury time winner to beat lowly Oswestry
at Treflan.
They could only draw at home to Newtown and away at Port Talbot.
The killer blow came at home to Haverfordwest - then the Saints
surrendered a two goal half-time lead at Aberystwyth.
The game was up for another season, although the vital European
slot was still secure.
What might have been!