Scott Ruscoe makes BOLD Cymru Premier title race prediction
New Saints boss Scott Ruscoe has dismissed Connah’s Quay’s title credentials despite suffering a 1-0 defeat to the Nomads.
Craig Curran scored the only goal as the New Saints slumped to defeat in windy conditions at the Deeside Stadium
Despite their latest setback in their defence of the Cymru Premier title, which now sees them four points behind the Nomads, Ruscoe has predicted that TNS will get revenge on their title rivals.
“We are being pushed but we’ve been pushed by better teams than Connah’s Quay,” said Ruscoe to TNS TV.
“We’ll beat Connah’s Quay at home and they’ll drop a point or two, I think we’ll be alright.
“I’m more than hopeful with seven games, they’re not going to win seven games in a row, no doubt about it, no chance.”
CRAIG CURRAN! ⚽
— ⚽ Sgorio (@sgorio) February 21, 2020
Sgôr ar yr egwyl | Half time score: @The_Nomads 1-0 Y Seintiau Newydd pic.twitter.com/g48KR32mYa
The New Saints are one of only two teams to beat Connah’s Quay in Welsh domestic competitions this season.
Curran’s goal ensured victory over TNS for the first time this season, inflicting a sixth defeat on the Oswestry side.
It is the first time since 2007 that The New Saints have lost six games in a season. The last time that happened, they conceded the title to Llanelli.
The two battled in windy conditions which affected the flow of the game as the two rethought their tactics to adapt to the weather.
“We’re not ready to play long balls, we tried in the first-half and I thought we were excellent at standing against the long balls.
“With ten seconds to go on the watch we’ve conceded and it’s knocked the stuffing out of us.
“We looked to get the ball down but the pitch isn’t conducive to play football.
“The wind is as bad as you’re going to get it and it was difficult for us to get any momentum in the game.
“When you’re 1-0 up it’s easy to be compact, take your time and dig in.
“Credit to them, they’ve got a bit of quality in the first-half to score that goal, we didn’t have enough to get back into the game.
Tacl cryf! Strong tackle!
— ⚽ Sgorio (@sgorio) February 21, 2020
Cerdyn melyn i Kris Owens. | Yellow for Kris Owens @the_nomads.
Connah’s Quay v @tnsfc live on @S4C. pic.twitter.com/7W2ArkVeoh
A key point in a match played to full-intensity in blustery conditions was an injury suffered to Keston Davies.
Kris Owens was shown a yellow card for a strong tackle on the New Saints defender as the pair competed for possession.
Davies was unable to continue and received lengthy treatment, prompting seven minutes of injury time, in which they conceded.
“It was a nasty tackle, a bad tackle,” said Ruscoe.
“He’s got a massive gash on his leg, so if anyone thinks he’s gone down or play-acting as I heard on the sideline earlier, they’re much mistaken.”
(Featured Image: The New Saints)
