New era starts with convincing win
THE New Saints kept up the pressure on leaders Llanelli after getting off to a winning start under new management team Mike Davies and Andy Cale.
They completely outplayed Caernarfon and the most pleasing aspect of a composed performance was a return to passing from the back allied to some good midfield play.
Jamie Wood led the way with a first-half brace and also had a hand in both the other goals as he produced another man-of-the-match performance on the artificial surface he appears to relish so much.
The patient build-up play appeared to be going nowhere until the 18th-minute, when young defender Rob Williams sent a long ball over the top of the Canaries' defence and Wood took his chance well, lobbing keeper Michael Jago.
Steven Beck's midfield run and pass produced the second as Wood fired-in from the left edge of the box and the frontman had enough chances to have completed a first-half hat-trick.
Alfie Carter also fired over from a good position and had another shot well held by Jago.
Caernarfon stirred briefly after the break, although they were never able to trouble Paul Harrison in the Saints' goal, and their goose was cooked on the hour when Wood's low cross found Beck, who held off his marker to score from eight yards.
Sub Michael Wilde returned from his long injurt absence to a rousing welcome and capped his comeback with a trademark finish at the far post from another excellent Wood delivery.
The only complaint from the new management was that TNS lacked the killer instinct and could have substantially reduced their goal difference with Llanelli with some more composed finishing.
But otherwise, it was more than satisfactory start to a new era at the club. |
