WILDE HAT-TRICK IN AFAN ROMP
 MIKE Wilde claimed a hat-trick as Total Network Solutions stormed back to the top of the Mitsubishi Welsh Premier with a 6-0 romp at Afan Lido.
Having suffered a surprise 2-0 reverse against Caernarfon the previous week, the Llansantffraid title chasers showed no ill effects as they powered into a five-goal interval lead against their shellshocked hosts. Lido had started the brighter, but the Saints never looked back once Wilde had forced in a 15th minute opener via defender Phil Holmes after Gary Brabin's right wing cross had been parried.
The impressive Brabin headed a second from Dave Bridgewater's 28th minute free kick and Wilde's perseverance saw the young striker chip in a third following a determined run four minutes later.
Lido had their moments, twice rattling the woodwork, but the points were in the bag as TNS struck twice more before the interval.
Wilde completed his hat-trick when crashing home a shot following another surging run on 41 minutes and Nicky Ward produced another clinical finish moments later when beating a couple of defenders and blasting his shot into the net.
The Saints never looked likely to relinquish their grip in the second half, and completed victory five minutes from time when Ward pounced on a deep free kick from Tim Alexander before rifling his shot into the net. |
