Welsh Premier League Football - Saints bid to revive title challenge

THE New Saints bid to put the heartache of Welsh Cup exit behind them when they travel to face Bala Town at Maes Tegid on Friday.
The Saints suffered their first major set-back of the season when they lost a penalty shoot-out at home to Port Talbot and also need to make up lost ground on league leaders Llanelli after dropping points at Connah's Quay and Airbus UK Broughton.
Welsh Under-23 semi-pro trio Craig Jones, Alex Darlington and Aeron Edwards may not come into the reckoning after only returning on Thursday from the 7-2 defeat in Portugal.
In the Lakesiders' ranks is striker John Toner, who will be keen to impress after being released from Park Hall at the end of last season.
Gap Connah's Quay are desperate to start climbing the table in their bid for a Super 12 spot as they host Prestatyn Town, unbeaten in six games, at the Deeside Stadium.
"Connah’s Quay are one of those teams badly in need of points to make the Super 12 and for that reason they’ll be giving it everything," Seasiders' player-manager Neil Gibosn told the Daily Post.
"Gareth Wilson came off in the Rhyl game because of illness, but we’re hoping he’ll be fine for Friday, while Russ Jones, who came on as a substitute against Rhyl as he wasn’t fully fit, will hopefully be back to his best."
Jamie Petrie and Andy Alston return to the Nomads' squad as the Deesiders look to end a run of three consecutive defeats.
Photo: Bala drew 0-0 at The New Saints earlier this season.