The New Saints preserved their unbeaten start to the Cymru Premier season with a goalless draw against title rivals GAP Connah's Quay FC on Saturday. The result at Park Hall keeps the Saints six points clear at the summit with 40 points from 14 games, a record built on thirteen wins and a single draw. Their recent form of four wins and a draw in the last five games shows their consistency.
Both sides made early tactical adjustments. The New Saints were forced into a first-half change when I. Jefferies replaced R. Holden after just 22 minutes. Jefferies was on the scoresheet in the recent 9-0 win over Ammanford AFC on Friday 23 October, a match where B. Young scored a hat-trick. The visitors also rang the changes later, introducing J. Hodkin and M. Stone just after the hour mark.
A physical contest saw five yellow cards shown. D. Williams was the first Saints player cautioned on 27 minutes, with D. Redmond and J. Williams also booked late on. The match was the first time this season the league leaders have failed to score, having netted 53 times in their previous 13 outings. Their defensive strength remains formidable, with only six goals conceded for a goal difference of plus forty-seven.
Their recent fixtures have been a goal-fest, including 9-0 victories over Ammanford AFC and Cambrian & Clydach. Other recent wins include a 2-1 victory at Airbus UK on Friday 16 October and a 6-1 triumph at Holywell on Friday 9 October. The sequence began with a 3-1 win at Trefelin on Saturday 26 September.
The point stays at the top of the standings, maintaining a six-point lead over GAP Connah S Quay FC. They now turn their attention to a home match against 12th-placed Briton Ferry on Friday, 13 November.
