The New Saints boss Scott Ruscoe admitted his side were slow out of the blocks in their crushing win over Newtown.

Saints were sluggish in the opening quarter of their Welsh Premier League clash but goals from Ryan Brobbel, Jack Bodenham, Jamie Mullan and two from Greg Draper sealed the 5-0 victory.

But Ruscoe insists his side dominated once they began to control the ball after Brobbel's opener, and admitted he was pleased with the performance. 

"You could see in the opening five or 10 minutes that we were a little bit rusty,” he said.

“They played a 4-4-2 with a diamond, and that threw us a little as we thought they’d set up differently.

“But once we got to grips with that, we were fine. We played some really good attacking stuff but we defended well too as we were always wary of them on the counter.

“They were still in that game until we got that one just before the end of the first half to make it 2-0. Overall it was pleasing, five goals, none conceded and lots of positives.

“Ultimately Jack’s goal has killed the game and it was the same as last time when we scored in the 44th or 46th minute.

“I told them at half-time to not start like we did in the first half and to go and get that goal, which they duly did.

“It was pleasing to get that goal as it gives you a cushion and you can go into the half-time team talk more relaxed.”