Aberystwyth 0 The News Saints 0
WITH Rhyl surprisingly dropping points at home to Newtown, The New Saints missed the opportunity to increase their advantage at the top of the table.
However, they can have few complaints about having to share the spoils with mid-table Aberystwyth, whose performance showed they can hold their own with the best.
Although there were few clear-cut chances, a fast, competitive encounter provided enjoyable watching for Aber fans witnessing a Saturday home match for the first time in three months.
Calm, assured displays by both centre-back pairings proved crucial, with Aber’s former Welsh international Christian Edwards, showing all his experience.
Greg Stones missed a rare opportunity for the visitors, heading a Chris King free-kick wide, before home keeper Richard Morgan pulled off an excellent save from Oscar Gonzalez, but defences remained generally on top.
John Toner should have given the Saints a 55th-minute lead, following a slip by Edwards, but shot wide from close range. Five minutes from time Toner again missed the opportunity of his 15th league goal, this time denied by Morgan.
TNS manager Ken McKenna introduced Alfie Carter, at the expense of Oscar Gonzalez on the hour, but the change did little to sharpen the strike force.
Aber’s two best chances came from left-wing crosses from Geoff Kellaway. Glyndwr Hughes failed to connect with the first, while Craig Jones shot inches wide.
