The New Saints (Game postponed due to frozen pitch)

With Town’s New Year game against local rivals Llanelli AFC postponed manager Deryn Brace is now looking forward to the visit of league leaders The New Saints (TNS) to kick start the second half of the season and get his side up into that vital top ten placing. Brace told Y Dre ar Y We,

“It’s always disappointing when games are postponed but on the positive side it gives us an opportunity to get those who have been out recently, Nicky Palmer and Dyfan Pierce, that extra week. We would have been without Neil Smothers last week through illness so he’s had an opportunity to recover”.

“On the other hand TNS haven’t missed a game. So the scenario of rustiness comes into the equation like it did for the first half against Llanelli. We will have to make sure we do not have a repeat performance.

“Obviously Saturday is a major game. We knew it was going to be a difficult Christmas period but unfortunately the weather has been the winner. You never have an easy ride against TNS. Even when things aren’t going for them they get the basics right.

Brace added, “I feel that they are probably the most complete side in the Welsh Premier this season. I think if anybody is going to finish above them then they will probably win the league. It’s as simple as that. We’ve played nearly every side at the moment and the Saints are by far the best side that we’ve played.We will have to be on top of our game.

Aberystwyth Town 2 -1 (A)

“I thought we showed a steely determination to get the job done. We haven’t seen that attitude for a long while. Yes we can play a lot better but if we maintain that purpose we showed tonight we will become a difficult team to beat.

"It was an important win and hopefully it will provide a boost. But what we have to do now is take advantage of it to establish a good run.

Brace was clearly pleased with his team’s attitude following the long layoff. “I think, following the enforced break, the boys have missed it. We’ve been able to analyse a few things and Sean coming in attacks things a little bit more than we have done in recent games. It put us in different positions where people can use their attributes in a better manner. All round things worked really well. A few things, of course, could have worked better but we’ll work on that.

Brace was pleased with his new loan acquisition Sean Cronin. “I was pleased with him. He actually hasn’t played for a couple of months. So for him to come back and give a polished performance was a credit to him. I’m sure he’ll say there’s more in the tank and hopefully there is which will benefit us. First signs were very encouraging. With Dyfan Pierce and Nicky Palmer back in contention were there difficult selection decisions?

“In all fairness to the boys that were left out they were just unlucky. There’s hardly anything to choose between the players and I just have to make a decision and go with the gut feeling and the ones that we chose didn’t let us down. “We all know what Nicky Palmer can give and there’s not many midfielders in the League with his energy and commitment.

“Dyfan has a great quality on the ball and obviously he had a more defensive role because their most potent player the very speedy Kellaway was up against him. It probably took him twenty minutes to come to terms in how to play him and Dyfan certainly did really well second half especially, where it got to the extent that he wasn’t a threat.

The Chris Thomas strike was clearly pleasing. “It’s a goal worthy of winning any game. Full credit to him he had the confidence to stand up from fully thirty yards and say’ I’m having a crack at this’. The keeper hasn’t moved. It’s a fantastic strike, great technique, lets hope he can do it again.

Newtown (A) 0 - 0

Preview - “Both clubs will be saying it’s vital to win it. It’s been a stuttering season for both of us and we’ll both be looking for momentum. Like us they had a good win on Friday night. So again it’s another cagy affair.

“They’ve made a few signings and they will want to show their own fans that they are picking up and making a real go of it like ourselves.

Town's Assistant Manager Mattie Davies summed up the day, "We kept a clean sheet which is always a positive to take out of any game. But it was just the quality in the final third that was disappointing more than anything. We got into good positions to deliver the ball into the box but unfortunately they didn't pay off and clear-cut chances were not created.

"Of course you would like to get three points every week. But, considering the conditions we will take the point. It is disappointing but Newtown were just below us, they remain below us and they haven't closed the gap."

Davies added, “To an extent the conditions didn’t help but a lot of the time we weren’t being the first man. You can’t really grumble if your trying to whip in a bit of quality and it bobbles and goes out for a goal kick.

“But how it panned out today we weren’t being the first man and more often than not we were dinking the ball into the keeper who was having an easy catch. It’s very disappointing.

Davies explained the thinking behind the selection changes. “Just a little bit more stability in the back four. There were times when we were cut open a little bit to easily at the back against Aberystwyth. Dale (Griffiths) is an out and out defender and I thought he did a good enough job today.

“Chris Thomas has got the legs for the middle of the park but also in part it was to keep the boys on their toes. A bit of a rotation with everyone realising that they haven’t got a guaranteed place in the team if we win the game and hopefully it will help keep the spirit in the camp with everyone pushing for a place in the first eleven”.

Deryn's Dugout