Cymru Premier round-up: McManus hat-trick as TNS pass 100 goal mark
- Published
New Saints striker Declan McManus scored a hat-trick in his side's 5-0 winn at Newtown
JD Cymru Premier
Friday, 31 March
Championship Conference
Bala Town 1-2 Connah's Quay Nomads: Connah's Quay took a step closer to securing second spot and automatic European qualification with victory at Bala, who are now without a win in nine league games.
In the sixth game between the sides this season, Harry Franklin's header gave Nomads the lead, but within two minutes George Newell headed home Lassana Mendes' cross for Bala's equaliser.
Nomads restored their lead three minutes before the break when captain George Horan headed Josh Williams' corner across the face of goal and Nathan Burke put the ball into his own net as Bala failed to clear.
Cardiff Met 2-3 Penybont: Penybont came from behind to secure a secure a dramatic win at Cardiff Met and extend their unbeaten run to 12 league games. Lewis Rees put Met ahead on the stroke of half-time before Harry Owen doubled the home side's lead two minutes after the break.
Nathan Wood's fine individual goal saw Penybont pull a goal back with Ryan Reynolds equalising six minutes later. The second half comeback was completed when Lewis Harling's header sealed victory with 11 minutes. Penybont remain in third spot but have a six point deduction hanging over them, pending an appeal.
Play-Off Conference
Caernarfon Town 4-0 Airbus UK Broughton: Caernarfon gained valuable breathing space in their bid to move away from the drop zone with a comfortable win over already relegated Airbus UK Broughton.
Lloyd Marsh-Hughes gave the hosts the perfect start, capitalising on a defensive mistake to score a goal after just 15 seconds. Things went from bad to worse for Airbus after 16 minutes when defender Gareth Edwards, facing his former side, was sent-off and conceded a penalty for a trip on Sion Bradley, but keeper Lewis Dutton saved Bradley's spot kick. Marsh-Hughes' second extended Caernarfon's lead before they were awarded a second penalty following a foul on Bradley with Danny Gossett successfully converting.
Marsh-Hughes completed his hat-trick before the hour mark. The Wingmakers have accepted a three-point deduction for breaking league rules which leaves them on -5 points and set to finish the season the lowest points total in league history.
Saturday, 1 April
Championship Conference
Newtown 0-5 The New Saints: Declan McManus scored a hat-trick as New Saints took their season's goals tally to 101 with victory at Latham Park. McManus' two first half goals gave the champions a 2-0 interval lead. The Scottish striker completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Kieran Mills-Evans handled the ball, for which he received a red card,
Substitute Adrian Cieslewicz netted his side's 100th goal of the campaign before Newtown were reduced to nine men after Callum Roberts was shown a second yellow card. Gwion Dafydd completed the scoring in stoppage time with a fifth.
Play-Off Conference
Flint Town United v Haverfordwest County: Corey Shephard and Jordan Davies' first half goals saw Haverfordwest win at Flint, who had Harry Owen sent-off late in the game. County strengthened their grip on the play-off spot while Flint hvver above the relegation zone.
Flint's defeat at Aberystwyth last weekend leaves Lee Fowler's men just above the second from bottom Seasiders on goal difference. County remain in the driving seat for the play-off spot and three points clear of Pontypridd in eighth spot.
Pontypridd United 1-1 Aberystwyth Town: Goalkeeper Matthew Turner scored a dramatic stoppage time winner to secure a crucial point to see Aberystwyth move out of the relegation zone.
Tom Davies had given Pontypridd a first half lead but Turner scored from close range after Ponty failed to clear a corner. Anthony Williams' side move out of the bottom two above Flint and are now two points behind ninth placed Pontypridd.
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