The three key battles to look out for as The New Saints play Connah’s Quay Nomads

It’s the biggest game of the JD Cymru Premier on Saturday between The New Saints and Connah’s Quay Nomads.

Both teams are win a piece as the Saints defeated Connah’s Quay 1-0 at home in phase one. The Nomads won at the Deeside Stadium 2-0 in their home fixture against TNS.

Here are the main battles to look out for.

Adrian Cieslewicz vs John Disney

Adrian Cieslewicz has been a crucial part of The New Saints team throughout the league campaign. The Polish winger has bagged himself six goals in the Cymru Premier this season. In addition to scoring, the 30-year-old has been doing a great job of creating chances for his teammates from managing to get his crosses into the box to the likes of top scorer Greg Draper, Louis Robles, and Ryan Brobbel. This has led to 10 assists in 25 appearances for Cieslewicz.

If Anthony Limbrick’s left winger is going to be stopped it will be down to Connah’s Quay’s right back, John Disney. The Defender has been part of a backline that has just conceded 16 goals in 26 games. If Disney can keep Cieslewicz in his pocket, then that will be a big area of the pitch cut out for the Oswestry side in finding a way to goal.

Declan Poole vs Jon Routledge

Declan Poole is a player that will be looking to send through balls to the attacking areas on Saturday for Andy Morrison’s team. Poole has made 22 appearances and scored four times and got seven assists. The midfielder will be more important than normal as former TNS player, Aeron Edwards is suspended.

Jon Routledge was given the man of the match award by Malcolm Allen in the third Bala Town and TNS fixture at Maes Tegid for being a general in midfield. Routledge will be hoping to project that form into this match as he will be the shield in front of the back four.

Michael Wilde vs Blaine Hudson and Ryan Astles

37-year old Michael Wilde is the second highest goal scorer on 15 in the Cymru Premier. A player that has previously been at The New Saints. The forward is vital having scored nine more goals than anyone else from Andy Morrison’s team. If Connah’s Quay are going to win Saturday’s encounter, Wilde will likely be adding to his tally.

The pair looking to keep Nomads main man out is Blaine Hudson and Ryan Astles. The duo are part of a team that has let in the least goals in the league this season. The Saints have just conceded 13. The two players combined have made 44 appearances for TNS this season. The Hudson/Astles partnership will need to be at their best come Saturday to get an 18th clean sheet of the campaign.

(Featured Image: NCM Media)