Ex-Swansea starlet Williams nets winner for New Saints

DAN Williams struck late as TNS were made to toil for victory at Pontypridd United to return to the top of the JD Cymru Premier table today.

The Oswestry side started the brighter and could have led after 15 minutes only for home goalkeeper George Ratcliffe to produce a double save to deny Leo Smith and Declan McManus.

The Saints continued to press with Ben Clark twice firing over while Ryan Astles also steered a headed effort wide as the hosts held firm until the break.

It was a similar story after the break with Ratcliffe forced into action to deny Smith.

Brief joy from the hosts came to an end when Ben Ahmun was ruled offside after netting in a rare attack from the hosts.

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The loss of forward McManus knocked the Saints out of stride and the home side almost broke the deadlock with Owain Jones' free-kick forcing TNS goalkeeper Connor Roberts into action.

The Saints resumed the pressure with Danny Davies the latest to be denied by the outstanding Ratcliffe after 66 minutes.

The deadlock was finally broken with 11 minutes remaining with ex-Swansea City midfielder Williams firing through a crowded penalty area from the edge of the area to finally best Ratcliffe.

Williams almost doubled his side's lead five minutes later only to be denied by Ratcliffe but the Oswestry club had already done just enough to retain their 100 per cent start to the season.

PONTYPRIDD: Ratcliffe, Davies, B Williams, Knott, Shephard, Ahmun, Rees (D Williams 67), Wright, Jones (Cummings 77), Pritchard (Maertins 84), Green. Subs: Morris, Vaughan.

TNS: Roberts, Pask, Astles, Daniels, McManus (Roscrow 51), Cieslewicz, D Williams, J Williams, Clark, Smith, Davies. Subs: Hudson, Canavan, Thompson, Cuoto, Harlock, Dafydd