TNS 4 Newtown 1

NEWTOWN became the latest victims of the defending champions as TNS maintained their relentless march toward the title.

The mid Wales side remain the only side to have taken points off the Saints this season but the opening day stalemate at Latham Park has since seen the rivals endure contrasting fortunes.

While the Saints have since won every game to lead the top flight the Robins made the trip to Park Hall with the worst defensive record in the league.

The omens were not promising for Newtown as the Saints tore into a three goal lead inside the opening half an hour.

Craig Williams brought down Danny Davies on the left by-line with Declan McManus giving TNS a dream start from the spot after just nine minutes.

Davies doubled the home side's lead after 25 minutes, cutting inside from the left before curling beyond the rooted Dave Jones.

The Saints left Newtown with a mountain climb as Josh Daniels headed home Chris Marriott's corner four minutes later.

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However the Robins were stirred just before the break with ex-Saint Louis Robles racing onto a long ball from Jones headed on by Aaron Williams before rounding home goalkeeper Connor Roberts to offer his side a glimpse of hope.

The Saints began the second-half with intent with McManus lashing wide from the edge of the area.

Robles continued to pose Newtown's chief threat with Ryan Astles putting in a vital block to prevent another opportunity from his former team-mate on the hour.

The match remained finely poised with the home side attacking for the goal to kill off the contest while the Robins stalked the goal to bring them back into the game.

Ryan Brobbel saw penalty claims rejected after going down in the area before the match became a midfield contest.

The Saints introduced on-loan signing Dan Williams and new arrival Adam Wilson in a bid to put the game to bed with Leo Smith and Brobbel making way with 20 minutes remaining.

Newtown should have been back in the game with 14 minutes remaining only for Roberts to deny Aaron Williams from the penalty spot after the Robins' top scorer was brought down on the far post while attempting to meet Jake Walker's left wing cross.

The Saints were sparked into life with Ben Clark firing over from the edge of the area moments later before Adrian Ciewslewicz raced through the heart of the Newtown defence to settle the match with nine minutes remaining.

TNS: Roberts, Marriott, Astles, Routledge, Daniels, Brobbel (Wilson 67), McManus, Redmond (Clark 53), Cieslewicz, Smith (D Williams 67), D Davies. Subs: Edwards, K Davies, Baker, Dafydd.

NEWTOWN: D Jones, B Taylor (Wharton 70), Sears (Rushton 26), Mills-Evans, Robles, A Williams (Aris 85), Cowans, M Jones, C Williams, Hughes, Walker. Subs: Hyde, Hesden, Smallwood, Perkins