McKenna pleased with first workout
THE New Saints' boss Ken McKenna was pleased with his side's first workout of the campaign and was able to use 19 players in the 3-0 win over Dungannon.
Goals from John Toner, Jamie Wood and Michael Wilde all came in a first half of total domination, although the Saints were never as effective after the break.
The first on 25 minutes came when a Scott Ruscoe corner was headed back across goal by Rob Williams for Toner to head past former Barry Town keeper David Wells.
A spell of pressure just before the break yielded two more goals and two disallowed efforts. Wood scored from close range from a Ruscoe cross and Wilde twice found the net with headers within a minute, the second one counting from Wood's cross.
With Alfie Carter, John Leah and Nicky Ward unfit to travel, McKenna was also forced to call-up keeper John Bagnall on loan from Southport for the injured Gerard Doherty, but he was rarely troubled by the Swifts, who were restricted to just two shots on target all afternoon.
Rob Williams formed an effective central defensive partnership with Tommy Holmes and the back four were able to readily hold the Swifts' attacks.
With constant TNS substitutions during the second half, the hosts pressed forward and chances were scarcer for the Saints' forwards as the supply lines dried up.
Toner had the best chances to increase the lead, but was denied by second-half keeper Dwayne Nelson and then shied over a gaping goalmouth from six yards.
Sub strike duo Ronnie Morgan and Carl Lamb were unable to raise a shot in anger and it was the lively Adrian McCaffrey and Niall McGinn for Dungannon who finally tested visiting keeper Bagnall, but he proved equal to the task. |
