TNS retain Welsh Premier League title

The New Saints FC retained the Welsh Premier League title with a 3-0 victory over Carmarthen Town.

Carmarthen were the architects of TNS's last defeat, beating them 3-0 on their own turf as far back as November, but Carl Darlington's side continued their inspirational form to earn a seventh straight win and exact their revenge. 

Scott Ruscoe's first-half goal broke the deadlock, but it took a while for TNS to rubber-stamp the win. A Michael Wilde double sandwiched a red card for Carmarthen's Casey Thomas midway through the second period, ultimately sealing Saints' title defence and secured their seventh league title – matching Barry Town FC's record. It is TNS' sixth league crown in an impressive last nine seasons and earns them a UEFA Champions League second qualifying berth next term.

"Winning the league is testament to all of the hard work that Craig [Harrison, director of football] and Carl have done," said chairman Mike Harris after the match. "They have both worked tremendously hard in the last 12 months. It has been a terrific season."

TNS now have their eye on doing the double, and take on Bangor City FC in the Welsh cup semi-final, a team they defeated 6-0 in the league last week.