TNS targeting some home comforts

A disappointing 1-0 loss at Aberystwyth Town saw the Saints slip to third in the JD Welsh Premier table, two points behind both Connah’s Quay Nomads and Barry Town United.

But they have a chance to regain pole position by completing a double against the Cofis who succumbed 3-0 to the defending champions on the north Wales coast back in August.

While all three defeats have come on their travels, TNS are a different proposition at Park Hall, with five wins and a draw from their six outings this term.

They have racked up 26 goals and conceded just two, while netting six times on three separate occasions, and five on another.

And Ruscoe expects a positive response from his charges tonight (7.45pm) as they look to get their challenge back on track in pursuit of an eighth straight league title.

“It’s not quite happening at the moment,” he admitted. “We are doing well one week, and average the next.

“Last Friday was not good enough, we know we are better than that. We were naive in certain situations, but have now got a chance to put things rights and I will be looking for a reaction.”

“We have worked hard in training this week, had a good chat, and everyone’s on the same page as we look to put things right.”

After a promising start following their return to the top flight, Caernarfon have fallen away recently and slipped into the lower reaches of the table with a 4-3 loss at Carmarthen Town.

It’s a big weekend in the league with the current top two teams, Connah’s Quay and Barry Town coming face to face at the Deeside Stadium tomorrow.

TNS’s tie at Cambrian & Clydach in the semi-final of the Nathaniel MG Cup will be played on Friday, November 23 (7.45pm).

The other semi-final between the Connah’s Quay and Cardiff Met University takes place the following day.

Meanwhile, Aeron Edwards’ 25-yard strike in Saints’ 3-0 win against Connah’s Quay has won goal of the month for October.