JD Welsh Premier League

The New Saints 3-0 Bala Town

By David Figg

The NEW SAINTS took a giant step towards their seventh consecutive Welsh Premier League title after a comfortable second-half performance gave them the win over Bala Town.

The win left Saint just needing a point to confirm the title after goals from Ryan Brobbel and a double from sub Dean Ebbe gave Scott Ruscoe's men all three points.

TNS, who had a Greg Draper effort flash wide inside the first minute, had two chances inside the opening 20 minutes but Draper was denied by Ashley Morris, who then watched a Jamie Mullan effort flash wide moments later.

The Lakesiders' first chance of note came on 21 minutes but the returning Paul Harrison was quick to save to his right from Mike Hayes's effort from 18 yards before two minutes later, the TNS skipper saved to his right from Chris Venables.

TNS took the lead seconds before the half-time break when Brobbel received the ball from Ryan Pryce before finding his radar from 17 yards out to score.

On the hour mark, Ebbe made his entrance onto the pitch as he replaced Draper and he made an instant impact as 80 seconds later, he converted Mullan's cross from six yards out through Morris's legs to make it 2-0.

Bala continued to push Saints all the way and came close to halving the deficit on 77 minutes, but Ebbe added his second and a third for TNS on 87 minutes when he lifted a 25-yard effort over the advancing Morris.

Saints will now look to seal the title with a point out of their remaining six games, but will aim to wrap it up in front of their own fans at Park Hall on Sunday (2pm) and in front of the Sgorio cameras.

TNS: Harrison, Spender (Clark 78), Saunders, Routledge, Brobbel, Draper (Ebbe 59), Hudson, Mullan, Holland, Edwards (Kauber 87), Pryce

Subs not used: Wycherley, Rawlinson

nMeanwhile, influential midfielder Jon Routledge has signed a new deal at the club.

The Liverpool-born midfielder, who started his career at Wigan Atheltic before plying his trade at Hamilton Academicals and Dumbarton before he joined TNS.

He was delighted to put pen to paper on the new deal.

"I’m happy that I’ve signed and look forward to keep doing well," he told the club's website. "Hopefully a few more trophies next season for the lads."