Shropshire Star

TNS after a hat-trick against new-boys

The New Saints aim to tighten their grip on the Welsh Premier when they renew acquaintances with league new-boys Haverfordwest at Park Hall tomorrow.

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The defending champions have already defeated the West Walians twice this season.

They won 4-0 away in the league on the opening day of the campaign, before prevailing 3-1 at home in the Word Cup just a few weeks ago.

They may be in good shape to make it three wins out of three, but boss Craig Harrison stressed his charges cannot afford to treat their visitors lightly.

The Saints are unbeaten in 14 games in all competitions this term, in which they have kept nine clean sheets.

They now hold a five-point advantage at the top, and are 10 points clear of third place.

Harrison said: "We're on a really good run, and this is a game we should win, but we can't afford to take our eyes off the ball, for one minute, because we'll fall flat on our faces.

"We've had a busy spell of seven games in 21 days, we've given the players three days off so they can come back fresh.

"We beat Haverfordwest 3-1 in the league cup just a few weeks ago, but I'm expecting a different game completely tomorrow.

"They had four or five missing last time, but we also had six injuries, so we can't read too much into that game.

"But I imagine they'll come and play on the counter-attack, try and get a goal from a set-piece, so we will have to be patient."

Harrison will be without top scorer Scott Quigley who is banned for three games after being red-carded in last Friday's 4-0 victory at Aberystwyth Town.

Mike Wilde and Greg Draper should return to boost the strike options, while Jamie Mullan and Ryan Edwards are also back in the frame. Defender Connell Rawlinson is out with a back problem.

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