TNS v Bala: Saints searching for last four cup spot
The New Saints continue a busy November by facing Bala Town in the quarter-finals of the Nathaniel MG Cup at Park Hall tonight (7.45pm).
It’s the fourth of eight fixtures Saints will play this month as they target good results in three domestic competitions, as well as the Uefa Conference League.
“It is relentless, it’s a heavy schedule,” said TNS head coach Craig Harrison.
“But if we weren’t being successful then we wouldn’t have this schedule, so certainly no complaints from my point of view and we want to try to go on and win every single game.”
Bala enjoyed a dramatic 3-2 win over Saints the last time the clubs met in Oswestry in the JD Cymru Premier League earlier this season.
TNS led Bala 2-1 going into stoppage time that night, but the visitors then scored twice to claim three points under the Park Hall lights.
That’s one of three league games Saints have lost this season, but they are currently enjoying a six-match winning run, which has lifted them up to second place in the JD Cymru Premier.
They extended their run of league victories with a 2-1 success at home to third-placed Haverfordwest County on Sunday.
Goals from defenders Josh Pask and Ash Baker saw Saints respond positively to falling behind to pick up three more points.
Harrison added: “We knew it was going to be a tough ask, but the players have got to take a lot of credit for the character and the fighting spirit.
“It can’t always be free-flowing football and can’t always win comfortably. Sometimes you need a bit of character, a bit of personality to win games, and we’ve showed that.”
Bala, this evening’s visitors in the last eight of the Nathaniel MG Cup - the Welsh League Cup - are currently seventh in the JD Cymru Premier.
