The New Saints headline domestic success
Domestic
21 April 2019

The New Saints headline domestic success

Scott Ruscoe was no stranger to success with The New Saints as a player, and he continues to deliver silverware to Park Hall by claiming his second league title in as many seasons as manager. In addition, his team remain on-course to complete the double as they prepare to take on closest challengers Connah's Quay Nomads in the JD Welsh Cup Final next month.

The Nomads and Barry Town United made sure that the most decorated team in the history of the league did not have everything their own way this season, but the pair faltered as the Saints stepped their game up another level in recent weeks. Heading into this Saturday's match against Caernarfon Town at Park Hall, The New Saints have claimed maximum points from their last six league games, scoring 25 goals in the process, and conceding just one.

Striker Greg Draper won the Golden Boot last season and currently leads the scoring charts with just two rounds of fixtures left to play. Draper has been an integral part of the success enjoyed by The New Saints in recent years. With 24 goals to his name from 30 league games to date this season, he will be desperate to finish the season in style. 

Lifting the trophy for the thirteenth time in total also means that Ruscoe and his side will have another shot at the UEFA Champions League qualifiers next season, with the added bonus of dropping into the qualifiers of the UEFA Europa League should they fail to make it through in Europe's premier club competition. They will be joined on the continent by the Nomads, Barry Town and the winners of the European play-off.

Another team hoping for European success this summer are Cardiff Met Women. The Archers remain undefeated during the current campaign, and by lifting the FAW Women's Cup last weekend when Madison Schupbach was the two-goal hero against Abergavenny Women, they completed the domestic treble. It has been another memorable season for manager Dr Kerry Harris and her talented squad, and the challenge now will be to transfer their domestic dominance onto the European stage. 

Meanwhile, Airbus UK Broughton return to the JD Welsh Premier League as champions of the Huws Gray Alliance. The Wingmakers were relegated from the top-flight in 2017, but having regrouped, they have enjoyed a dominant season in Tier 2. Steve O'Shaughnessy's side can also complete the double on Saturday when they take on Holyhead Hotspur in the final of the Huws Gray Alliance Cup. 

In the south, Penybont secured the Welsh Football League title this weekend, and with it confirm promotion to the JD Welsh Premier League as champions. The side managed by Rhys Griffiths are currently undefeated in the league and are still in contention to lift the Welsh League Cup. Although Griffiths made his name in the domestic top-flight, the side have never competed in the national league before, and his experience will be crucial as they look to make the right impression next season. 

Both clubs will be valuable additions to the JD Welsh Premier League, but while Airbus UK Broughton and Penybont look forward to rubbing shoulders with the elite of the Welsh domestic game next season, Llandudno and Llanelli will move in the opposite direction. The pair have previously represented Wales in Europe, and hopefully their experiences will help them challenge for an immediate return.