Match report: The New Saints 2 Connah's Quay Nomads 1
The New Saints head into 2025 on the back of three consecutive victories in the Cymru Premier after downing Connah's Quay Nomads 2-1 on New Year's Eve.
Ryan Brobbel and Jordan Williams scored the goals for TNS against the Nomads, who played the whole second half with 10 men.
The Saints have been playing catch-up most of the season thanks to their European exploits, as well as five league defeats - the most they have suffered in a single season for five years - but enter the new year with renewed vigour as they seek a fourth consecutive league title.
George Ratcliffe denied Rory Holden in the early stages before Jordan Williams dragged a shot wide of the post when one-on-one with the Nomads goalkeeper.
TNS finally made the breakthrough in the 27th minute when Brobbel cut in from the left and beat Ratcliffe with a low drive into the bottom corner.
The lead, however, lasted just four minutes until Noah Edwards levelled for Connah's Quay, drilling the ball home after Rhys Hughes' corner was only half-cleared.
But a third goal arrived in the space of less than 10 minutes when Williams' shot from long range squirmed through the grasp of Ratcliffe and into the net.
The Saints' task was made easier on the stroke of half-time when visiting striker Jack Kenny clashed with Williams and was shown a straight red card by the referee.
Adam Wilson shot wide and Danny Davies had a volley brilliantly kept out by Ratcliffe as Craig Harrison's men looked to press home their advantage.
They were kept honest at the other end by Hughes, who was twice denied by Connor Roberts in the second half, but held on to take all three points at a wet and windy Park Hall.
