THE New Saints have slammed plans for Newport County to host the FAW Premier Cup final on Wednesday, March 21.

The Conference South side beat Port Talbot 2-1 after extra time in Wednesday’s semi-final and have been given home advantage at the request of competition sponsors, the BBC.

The Treflan club had expected a neutral venue and general manager Ian Williams said: “The club is disappointed with the decision and we reiterate our desire for the final to be played at a Football League ground to showpiece the final.

“We will be holding discussions with Newport, the Premier Cup board and the BBC to see whether the decision can be overturned.”

A statement from the cup’s board of directors said: “BBC Wales expressed the wish that the match was played at the ground of one of the finalists, not a neutral venue.”

The board rejected a plea from TNS for the game to be staged at either Ninian Park, the Liberty Stadium or the Racecourse.

The statement from the board added that Treflan “was not considered suitable and did not have the infrastructure required”.

It is thought that the board’s main concerns relate to “entertainment facilities” for FAW officials, not the facilities for spectators, the pitch or accommodation for television equipment.