Five-star TNS hammer Airbus at home

Greg Draper continued his rich vein of form with a first-half brace as he made it seven goals in the last three games.

With the chief challengers Bala Town going down 3-2 at Llandudno the night before, the Saints took full advantage.

They extended their lead at the top to a commanding nine points with just seven games remaining. Leading the way again was Draper who made it seven goals in the last three games.

The New Zealand marksman opened his account on 17 minutes before getting his second seven minutes into first-half injury time.

The game had been held up moments before when Airbus defender Andy Jones was taken to hospital suffering from concussion after landing awkwardly on the pitch.

Airbus had their chances but the Saints underlined their dominance by striking three more times after the break to wrap up an impressive victory. Defender Phil Baker headed home a corner on 47 minutes.

Jamie Mullan and substitute Scott Quigley made it an ultimately comfortable afternoon for the defending champions with further goals on 66 and 72 minutes respectively.

Draper, who has impressed on his return to the starting line-up in recent weeks, was again among the goals.

He gave TNS a 17th-minute advantage after Adrian Cieslewicz's inviting cross had been dummied by Matty Williams.

Airbus, who have proved troublesome opponents for the Saints in the past, had their moments, forcing several corners as they looked to get back on terms.

However, the match was then stopped when Jones sustained a nasty looking head injury after falling to the ground when heading the ball, and the Wingmakers never recovered after that.

Moments after the game resumed, Draper added his second to double the lead after latching onto a defensive mistake before firing past keeper James Coates.

Despite trailing 2-0 at the break, the Wingmakers had threatened, with James Murphy firing just wide of the target and Jordan Barrow testing home keeper Paul Harrison with a powerful strike.

There was no way back for Airbus, however, once Baker headed in from close range from a corner just two minutes into the second period.

The league leaders went close to a fourth moments later when Cieslewicz dribbled nearly the length of the pitch.

He set up Williams, who was thwarted by a fine save from Coates from just inside the box.

However, the Saints did extend their lead midway through the half when winger Mullan cut in from the right-hand side and smashed his shot into the net, giving Coates little chance.

Quigley then came off the bench and got in on the act by hammering home a fifth goal on 72 minutes with one of his first touches of the game.

Airbus went close to a consolation late on when substitute Liam Blake struck the crossbar from the edge of the box.

The Saints have now scored 16 goals in their last three outings after beating Barry Town 5-2 in the Welsh Cup, and winning 6-0 at Newtown in the league. TNS host Newtown AFC this coming Saturday.

Meanwhile, TNS' league clash at chief rivals Bala Town, which was postponed due to a waterlogged surface at Maes Tegid, has now been rearranged for Tuesday, March 15 (7.45pm).