John Toner gets the better of Welshpool keeper Gerard McGuigan for the second goal.
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Toner hat-trick brings festive cheer
A FIERCELY-contested local derby between the second and fourth placed teams never materialised, as The New Saints powered to victory against Welshpool.
An 11-game unbeaten run for Tomi Morgan's side came to a grinding halt as they were hit for six by a rampant Saints.
John Toner led the way with a first-half hat-trick, starting the rout in the ninth minute with a well-judged lob over keeper Gerard McGuigan after being set-up by Greg Stones.
Alfie Carter, Toner and Stones narrowly failed to find the target before two goals in four minutes from the striker killed off 'Pool's challenge.
McGuigan failed to cut out Phil Baker's free-kick and Toner made no mistake when presented with an empty net, before again defeating the keeper with a deflection from Carter's fierce shot.
There was no let-up after the break, the hapless McGuigan only helping John Leah's 25-yarder on its way into the roof of the net.
Stones finished neatly at the far post from Leah's 77th-minute cross and when Carter was brought down in the box by Jonathan Jones, a sixth goal looked on the cards.
Diving to his left, McGuigan did well to save the spot kick, but Carter was not to be denied, finishing off from a Stones run and cross to cap a fine all-round display, in which the return to action of sub Chris King was icing on the cake. |
