Wilde bags a Bluebirds' brace
TNS maintained their grip at the top of the Welsh Premier League as they overcame a well-organised Haverfordwest outfit with a goal in each half from Michael Wilde.
The young striker opened the Saints’ account in the 13th minute when John Lawless did well to find Steven Beck who put Wilde in to shoot under Lee Kendall at the near post.
The Bluebirds’ keeper had already saved well from Wilde early on and kept his side in the game with a superb stop from Lawless after pin-ball in the County box.
Marc Lloyd-Williams also headed over the bar and just missed at the far post from another superb Lawless run and cross.
The visitors were not without chances and Gerard Doherty was forced to save a 20-yard free kick from Wyn Thomas, who was outstanding for County.
Saints then had a major let off shortly before the break when Tim Hicks picked up a long clearance from Kendall which was headed on by Richie Adams, spotted Doherty off his line and lobbed from 30-yards only to see his effort beat the keeper and come back off a post.
The second half saw TNS frustrated in their search for another goal to make the game safe.
Lloyd-Williams found the back of the net on the hour, only for his superb individual effort from 18-yards to be controversially ruled out by referee Steve Hames, who claimed another player was interfering with play by obscuring Kendall's line of sight.
He then waved away claims for a penalty when Scott Ruscoe appeared to be upended in the box.
But Lloyd-Williams showed he is not just the Welsh Premier’s most effective goal machine when, after losing the ball down the left he tackled back and fed Lawless, who gave Wilde the chance to sidestep Kendall for the clincher.
Haverfordwest almost claimed a consolation when a powerful David Barnhouse shot was deflected over for a corner, but Saints were now in the driving seat.
With all of the chasing group held to draws, TNS are now six points clear with a game in hand on most of the other pretenders. |
