Cymru Premier: The New Saints draw at Nomads to secure 15th Welsh title

New Saints have won the Cymru Premier title for 10 of the last 12 seasons

The New Saints retained the Cymru Premier title with a goalless draw at Connah's Quay Nomads.

The visitors secured the point they needed to seal their 15th Welsh title.

Andy Firth made a series of saves to deny Saints' Ryan Brobbel and Declan McManus.

Saints have won the title with five games remaining with captain Chris Marriott becoming the most decorated player in the league's history with 11 titles.

Manager Craig Harrison, who returned to the club from Connah's Quay as Anthony Limbrick's replacement earlier in the season, has now won seven Welsh titles with the Oswestry-based club.

Harrison's side went into the game at Deeside Stadium 17 points ahead of second-placed Nomads after Ryan Astles' late goal secured a 2-1 win over Bala Town last Monday put them on the brink of the title.

Nomads keeper Firth made a fine save to deny Ryan Brobbel's effort from the edge of the area

Leo Smith and former Nomad Danny Davies both fired shots wide of the post for the visitors during a goalless first half.

Firth made another excellent tip over a shot by Saints top scorer Declan McManus, who had shown terrific skill to create the shooting opportunity.

Joe Malkin tried his luck from long range after spotting Saints keeper Connor Roberts off his line while Josh Williams had a shot blocked.

Nomads keeper Firth, named man of the match, made another crucial save to thwart McManus while at the other end Saints custodian Roberts made a fingertip save to stop George Horan's close range shot.

But neither side could find the breakthrough and the point was enough for Saints to win back to back league titles.

New Saints manager Craig Harrison told BBC Radio Wales Sport:

"It's a tough place to come. The surface is terrible and it's not conducive to the style we want to play so we've got to dig in, deal with their set plays and had to play a little bit different from what we normally play.

"We dug it out and got a clean sheet, which if you can't win the game then a clean sheet is the next best thing.

"We've got a strong team and we're full-time, but along with that comes a lot of pressure and expectations and you've got to produce week in week out.

"I'm very, very fortunate that I've got some fantastic players and there's a great mentality in the squad and the coaching staff."

Friday, 17 March

Championship Conference

Connah's Quay Nomads 0-0 The New Saints

Play-Off Conference

Caernarfon Town 0-1 Aberystwyth Town: Aberystwyth remain in the bottom two, but are just a point behind Pontypridd after a vital win at The Oval in their bid to avoid relegation. Niall Flint's goal four minutes before the interval secured the win over the Canaries, who had Laurie Bell sent off early in the second half.

Saturday, 18 March

Championship Conference

Bala Town 0-0 Cardiff Met: Bala Town were held to a goalless draw at home by 10-man Cardiff Met. Thomas Price picked up two yellow cards in four second half minutes and was given his marching orders. Bala could not take advantage, though they thought they had scored with 25 minutes left only for it to be ruled out.

Newtown 0-1 Penybont: Penybont secured all three points at Latham Park in a game in which both teams finished with 10 men. Kane Owen gave the visitors the lead just before the hour mark before cards were produced for both sides. Callum Roberts picked up two bookings in just six minutes for Newtown before Penybont's Lewis Harding followed him down the tunnel.

Play-Off Conference

Flint Town United 0-0 Pontypridd United: Flint and Pontypridd played out a goalless draw that does little to ease either's relegation fears. The Silkmen came close to opening the scoring early in the second half, but their dangerous in-swinging corner was just tipped over the bar. The visitors have now gone five games without defeat.

Haverfordwest County 4-0 Airbus UK Broughton: Haverfordwest secured a comfortable home win over Airbus despite having a man sent off early on. Ricky Watts was shown a straight red card for the hosts after half an hour, but they took the lead three minutes later through Ben Fawcett. Ioan Evans doubled the lead before Airbus were also reduced to 10 men when Gareth Edwards was sent off. Jamie Veale and Daniel Hawkins scored late on to round off a good afternoon for the hosts.