| Saints can extend lead at the top |
| Friday 19 March 2010 |
 THE New Saints can extend their Welsh Premier lead to six points at Elements Cefn Druids on Friday night. But they will have played four more games than rivals Llanelli, who host Rhyl at Stebonheath Park on Saturday. Andy Cale's men are seeking to extend their winning sequence to five games and face a struggling Ancients' outfit who cannot play TNS loanees Craig Whitfield and Sean Jones against their parent club. "We know it’s going to be tough but one thing I know is that the lads won’t be affected by last week’s result," says joined manager Waynne Phillips. Ricky Wright and Dan Barnett could return while experienced defender Aled Rowlands faces a fitness check. Bala Town aim to consolidate their top-10 status when they tackle high flyers Aberystwyth Town at Maes Tegid. And, after successive 1-1 draws against Newtown and Haverfordwest, the Lakesiders are keen to return to winning ways. "I’m happy with the way we’re playing - we’ve done well this season, but often not been able to get a second goal to take the pressure off us," says manager Colin Caton. Brett Jefferies is still injured, but Owain Roberts returns from a facial injury. Airbus UK Broughton will be without suspended centre-back Matty Woodward for tonight’s visit to Gap Connah’s Quay and Wingmakers' manager Craig Harrison is expecting a stiff of tests against a Quay side which beat Neath 2-0 in midweek. Harrison said: “Everyone thought when Connah’s Quay lost at Caersws recently they had no chance of making the Super 12, but they’ve had some great results since then. “But we go there in good spirits – we’ve only been beaten once in eight games in which we’ve only conceded two goals.” Connah’s Quay’s striker Chris Herbert, who scored both goals against Neath, faces a late check and assistant player-manager Mark McGregor said: “We have now beaten TNS, Aberystwyth, Rhyl in the cup and Neath so our expectations are really high." Photo: The New Saints face Cefn Druids at Plas Kynaston. |