Ruscoe stars as Saints get back on track
ABERYSTWYTH never looked likely to end 13 years at Treflan without a win as The New Saints quickly put Sunday's reverse at Port Talbot behind them.
Alfie Carter led the way with a brace, but it was man-of-the-match Scott Ruscoe who put the Saints on the road to victory within the first 25 minutes.
The midfielder was on hand to sweep a shot past keeper Richard Morgan after 17 minutes following good work by Duane Courtney and then set-up Carter for a neat dink for the second.
Morgan easily dealt with shots from Nicky Ward and Steven Beck as the hosts piled on the pressure, but the Seasiders got back into the game on 34 minutes when former Frickley frontman Andy Evans was allowed to head in unmarked from a Craig Jones cross.
TNS quickly restored their two-goal cushion when Ward took advantage of Wilde's flick to strike his 12th league and cup goal of the campaign.
The Saints started the second half with some incisive attacks and Wilde twice went close within a minute of the restart, just wide at the far post from a Carter cross and heading a Ruscoe delivery over the bar.
Morgan produced a superb tip-over from Ward who then forced centre-back Aneurin Thomas into a dangerous clearance over his own bar. Beck had the best chance to advance the scoreline when he robbed his marker in midfield, but his surging run ended with a shot just wide of the post.
Saints' keeper Gerard Doherty was forced into a rare save from Luke Sherbon after a Tommy Holmes' clearance ricocheted off Stuart Roberts, but it was TNS who had the last word when Phil Baker's ball over the top found Carter, who lofted his shot over Morgan to make the scoreline more realistic.
• Referee Simon Jones amazed home players and supporters alike by apparently inventing a new law, booking Tommy Holmes when his legitimate shot on goal hit Luke Sherbon in the face. |
