TNS 1

Caernarfon Town 0

RYAN Brobbel proved the difference as TNS opened their JD Cymru Premier title defence with an unconvincing victory over Caernarfon Town on Sunday.

TNS went into the game looking to bounce back following their midweek defeat against Bulgarian side Ludogorets in the third qualifying round of the Europa League which culminated in a historic 9-0 aggregate defeat for the Welsh champions.

TNS began brightly with Aeron Edwards’ penalty appeals ignored before Jamie Mullan tested former Saint youngster Alex Ramsay in the Caernarfon goal.

It was far from one way traffic with TNS goalkeeper Paul Harrison forced to tip Jamie Crowther’s shot over the bar on 16 minutes

Harrison was again called upon midway through the half with a superb double save to deny Sion Bradley and Leo Smith.

However TNS led on 37 minutes with Brobbel whipping an unstoppable free-kick beyond Ramsay.

Both sides carved openings in the remainder of the half with Gruff John and Ryan Williams firing wide for the Canaries while Greg Draper steered his header wide from close range at the other end.

TNS looked to tighten their grip after the break only for Adrian Cieslewicz and Mullan to spurn openings.

Dean Ebbe’s introduction almost paid immediate dividends on the hour only for the Irishman to be denied by Ramsay.

TNS continued to waste their hard earned chances with Mullan lashing wide.

Darren Thomas provided impetus following his introduction and with just three minutes remaining the playmaker skipped through the TNS defence to square for Smith who curled his shot wide from the the edge of the area.

TNS: Harrison, Spender, Routledge, Brobbel (Byrne 90), Draper (Ebbe 61), Redmond, Cieslewicz (Whitehouse 61), Hudson, Mullan, Edwards, Harrington. Subs: Davies, Clark, Lewis