By Terry Phillips

 

Welsh club The New Saints have set a new World record for the longest winning run in topflight football.

Their 2-0 victory against Newi Cefn Druids away was their 27th consecutive win and that beats the record set by Johan Cruyff’s Dutch masters Ajax 44 years ago.

TNS, based in Oswestry, are more than 20 points clear at the top of Welsh Premier League football.

They have won all of their 21 league matches this season plus four in Welsh cos and two in the invitational Scottish Challenge Cup.

Manager Craig Harrison and his team are unbeaten since July when they were beaten 3-0 by Apoel Nicosia of Cyprus in the European Champions League qualifying round.

The TNS goals which clinched their 27th successive win were scored by Aeron Edwards after 30 minutes and Jon Routledge.

Ajax set their World record in 1971-72, while Scottish fifth-tier side East Kilbride thought they had broken Ajax’s record earlier this season.

The official World best, though, can only be set by teams playing in their country’s top tier.

TNS go into 2017 aiming for more success, having won the Welsh domestic treble in both of the last two seasons.

Manager Harrison’s Saints step up their bid to be crowned WPL champions for an 11th time.

They are also through to the final of the Nathaniel MG Cup Final at Cardiff Metropolitan FC’s Cyncoed Stadium on Saturday, January 21 (5.15pm).

TNS won their semi-final 1-0 against Connah’s Quay Nomads, while Barry Town United defeated Carmarthen Town 1-o thanks to a Jordan Cotterill goal.

Manager Mark Aizlewood’s Carmarthen, who have won the trophy three times, crashed out after Cotterill fired a 66th minute free-kick past goalkeeper Lee Idzi.

Barry are the first Welsh League team to reach the final of the Welsh Premier League’s expanded Nathaniel MG Cup.