Saints clip the Robins' wings
TNS maintained their nine-point lead at the top of the table with an eventually comfortable victory over the chasing Robins.
But in a game where Newtown often matched Saints, it was a tireless midfield and more clinical finishing in front of goal that proved the difference.
Scott Ruscoe and Steven Beck ruled the roost but, in truth, the end product could have been better as all TNS had to show for their first-half efforts was a Nicky Ward goal on nine minutes.
Beck's cross from the left found Jamie Wood whose shot found the back of Jon Rowley's net via Nicky Ward's right knee at the far post.
Marc Lloyd Williams had already tested the side netting and, apart from a brief scare when Mark Allen should have done better with a header from a Matthew Lewis free kick, the visitors dominated the goal chances.
Ward fired high when well placed within the box before Rowley made two smart saves, first from Lloyd Williams and then from Chris King.
A three minute spell on the hour finally sealed Newtown's fate. The excellent Wood coolly slotted past Rowley from Ward's through ball before Allen unluckily put through his own goal.
Rowley had pulled off another good save, but a Lloyd Williams shot had enough pace to rebound off the defender into the net.
The Robins kept at it and Gareth Hughes fired wide, while John Leah had a shot saved at the other end.
The defence has now gone 733 minutes without conceding, although they still have some way to go to catch Barry Town's record. |
