TNS open title defence at the new-boys

Having been crowned champions for the past four years, while winning the league for a record nine times in all, TNS are unsurprisingly the odds-on favourites to continue their dominance.

The Saints have been installed as 1/7 with the bookies to retain the title, while their closest rivals are seen as Airbus UK Broughton (11/2) and Bala Town (14/1), while Newtown are 66-1.

Few anticipate anything but another one-horse race as the Oswestry full-timers chase a fifth successive crown, but manager Craig Harrison is refusing to rest on his laurels.

With a tricky trip to West Wales tomorrow, he knows his side will need to maintain their high standards if they are to triumph this time around.

He said: "It is one thing being the bookies' favourites, but we've got to make sure we go out there and do it on the pitch.

"Chelsea were the favourites in the Premier League two weeks ago but, after a draw and a defeat, that has all changed now.

"We've got a tough start. Haverfordwest are back in the league after five or six seasons and will certainly be up for their first game.

"But we can't wait for the start of the season, which has been a long time coming after we've been back in training since May 26.

"After four Champions League games and some really good friendlies, we're looking in good shape and the thought of going for a fifth successive title is an exciting prospect."

Last season, though, will be a tough act to follow after TNS also lifted the Welsh Cup and Word League Cup to complete an historic treble – while losing just once in all competitions.

And there have been a couple of departures since then, with midfielder Sam Finley joining Conference North side AFC Fylde and winger Ryan Fraughan switching to Airbus UK.