New Saints win at Barry to clinch eighth consecutive top flight crown
The New Saints celebrate Greg Draper's goal against Barry Town United. (Image: Tomos Lewis)
After a 2-0 win against Barry Town United at Jenner Park, The New Saints have been confirmed as JD Welsh Premier League champions for an eighth consecutive campaign.
Prolific striker Greg Draper opened the scoring with his 24th league goal of the season after just six minutes.
Jamie Mullan’s solo effort doubled the Saints’ lead in the final 20 minutes, before he picked out captain Aeron Edwards who nodded in at the back post to put the result beyond doubt.
Jon Routledge added a fourth goal in stoppage time to round off an impressive win.
After a somewhat stuttering start to the season, which saw Scott Ruscoe’s side trailing the likes of Connah’s Quay Nomads and Barry, the Oswestry side showed calmness along with confidence to regain control of top spot.
Netting 94 goals in the league to date, their goal-scoring form has gone a long way to re-asserting their position at the top of the league.
The Park Hall side have scored five or more goals in a game on 11 occasions in all competitions.
Their defence, something which is often overlooked, has been a pivotal part of their success this season.
As of this evening, they have conceded just 15 goals in the league.
With two games left to play, they are on course to post their lowest goals conceded tally since the 2009/10 season, when they let just 13 goals in.
With a Welsh Cup final against Connah’s Quay Nomads on the horizon, Ruscoe’s team will have an opportunity to complete a league and cup double, before looking to advance into the later rounds of Champions League qualifying in the summer.
(Featured image: Tomos Lewis)
