TNS 3 Connahs QN 0

AERON Edwards struck twice as TNS returned to the top of the table with a convincing win at home to title rivals Connahs Quay Nomads.

Edwards opened the scoring with a contender for goal of the season after turning in the centre circle and bursting forward before placing a superb shot into the top corner beyond the outstretched arm of goalkeeper Jon Danby from 25 yards on 26 minutes.

Nomads should have levelled 10 minutes later only for Callum Morris to balloon over the bar after Saints goalkeeper Paul Harrison could only parry his initial effort.

Nomads continued to live off scraps with Ron Hughes cutting inside from the right before lashing over the bar from 20 yards on the stroke of half-time.

TNS survived a let off after the break with a goalline scramble following Ryan Wignall’s corner cleared upfield by Chris Marriott for Edwards to break and lift over a stranded Danby to double his lead on the hour.

Six minutes later and the Nomads defence was breached again with Blaine Hudson heading home Marriott’s free-kick to settle the outcome.

To their credit the Deesiders continued to press with Wignall forcing Harrison into action with 20 minutes remaining.

However the TNS defence was in no mood for charity and despite Nomads manager Andy Morrison making a draft of late changes in a bid to breach the home rearguard it was to no avail.

Instead TNS almost added a fourth with substitute Dean Ebbe given the freedom of Park Hall as the Nomads defence was caught napping only to fire his shot onto the bar from close range.

However TNS had already done enough to ensure normal service resumed at the top of the Welsh Premier.

TNS: Harrison, Spender, Marriott, Holland, Cabango, Routledge, Brobbel (Byrne 90), Draper (Ebbe 66), Hudson, Mullan, Edwards (Redmond 68). Subs: Hmami, Clark, Nembhard, Lewis

Att - 225