The New Saints manager Scott Ruscoe has warned early JD Welsh Premier League leaders Connah’s Quay not to get too comfortable at the top of the table ahead of the Saints’ league visit to Caernarfon tonight (7.45)
The defending league champions have conceded an early lead to Connah’s Quay after losing to the Nomads two weeks ago.
Connah’s Quay are on maximum points after three games ahead of their visit to Barry Town on Saturday.
The New Saints responded to that defeat with an emphatic 6-0 victory over Carmarthen Town last weekend and Scott Ruscoe says his side are gathering momentum in pursuit of a seventh-straight league title.
“It’s very early on in the season and yes, we’re three points off top but I don’t look at it too soon,” he said.
“We’re still only in August so at this point in time, I don’t see it as a big issue as to whether we’re three points off or one point off, because as soon as we build momentum we’ll be back to the top of the league.”
Caernarfon could prove to be a difficult test for the Saints with the side showing no signs of struggling to adapt to their new surroundings of the WPL.
Ruscoe must again decide whether to retain Dean Ebbe up-front or recall last season’s top-scorer Greg Draper, following his brace after coming off the bench against Carmarthen.
Midfielder Jon Routledge is back in contention following a knee injury and could return, while Ryan Brobbel is still at least another week from a return.
A bumper crowd is expected at The Oval as Sean Eardley’s side look to recover from a midweek League Cup defeat to Rhyl.
“We had a look at them the other night and they were 2-0 up and they lost 4-2, so they’ve played a game midweek too – is that going to tell on them? I’m not sure,” explained Ruscoe.
“They have a manager who knows the club and is a good coach so it’ll be a good game.
“The crowd [there] is fantastic, they certainly come out in numbers, it’s a tight ground and they fill it well, so we always enjoy going to Caernarfon.
“They’ll be at it and wanting to get one over on us, for sure,” added the Saints boss.
In the Nathaniel MG League Cup second round draw, last season’s beaten finalists Cardiff Met drew Carmarthen Town in the only all-WPL tie of the draw.
Holders The New Saints enter the competition with an away draw at Prestatyn Town, and after eliminating Caernarfon Town, Rhyl will be looking for another scalp against Llandudno.
Northern draw: Rhyl v Llandudno, Connah’s Quay v Airbus, Prestatyn v TNS, Flint Town v Bala Town.
Southern draw: Haverfordwest County v Goytre United, Newtown v Penybont, Cardiff Met v Carmarthen, Cambrian & Clydach v Aberystwyth.
Ties in the south will be played on Tuesday 25 September. Ties in the north will be played on Tuesday 2 October.
