McKenna delights in rousing finish
SAINTS manager Ken McKenna was delighted with his side’s rousing finish, helped in no small part by the return of injured striker John Toner.
The club’s forward had not featured this term due to a groin injury, but quickly made his mark with a brace after appearing as a substitute. as the Saints rattled up five goals in the last 21 minutes.
"I was really pleased with the way we put the game to bed," said McKenna. "I thought John Toner did brilliantly when he came on." He scored twice, their keeper also made a great save from him and he unselfishly set up another goal. He was superb and showed what we have been missing."
Goals from Scott Ruscoe, Toner (2), Luke Holden (2) and a Hugh Clark own goal saw Saints to the win.
But to tarnish the win Mike Wilde was taken to hospital with a dislocated shoulder.While Toner showed his worth, victory was tainted with fellow forward, Mike Wilde, taken to hospital with a dislocated shoulder after falling awkwardly on the artificial surface.
The late goal spree saw the defending champions complete their 11th straight league victory, but the final scoreline was somewhat harsh on Newtown who had been in the hunt for over an hour.
They had trailed to Scott Ruscoe’s 11th minute strike, but came more into the game with Damien Daniels seeing a fierce 25-yard drive well parried by keeper Paul Harrison while they also had claims rejected that Adam Worton had been impeded in the box early in the second half.
However, the visitors subsided in the last 20 minutes once Hugh Clarke had turned Luke Holden’s left wing cross into his own net.
After that, TNS ruthlessly pressed home their advantage with Toner sliding home the third from close range after Steven Beck had struck the inside of the post.
Holden curled home a sweet strike from 20 yards after being set up by Toner who then headed in the fifth from Scott Ruscoe’s left wing cross before Holden made it six when firing into an empty net after rounding keeper Dave Jones. |
