PHOTOS:
Bluebirds’ skipper Dale Griffiths is strong in defence
Alex Darling celebrates Christian Seargeant scoring his side’s second goal with a stunning free kick
Bluebirds’ goalkeeper Scott James had a busy afternoon
 

Dafabet Welsh Premier League

 

Haverfordwest County 0 – The New Saints 4

 
The New Saints grabbed two goals in each half to comfortably defeat newly promoted Haverfordwest County at the Conygar Bridge Meadow in the first league fixture of the campaign.

An Alex Darlington brace alongside Christian Seargeant and Greg Draper strikes completed an impressive opening day of the season victory for the only full time professional team in the Welsh Premier, who are four times champions, and aiming for a fifth successive league title.

Conditions were tough as the rain poured for the duration of the game, making the Bridge Meadow surface extremely greasy. TNS dominated possession and territory throughout with Bluebirds’ keeper Scott James pulling of some stunning saves.

Michael Wide struck the crossbar with a looping header for the visitors; Bluebirds centre backs Sam Rodon and skipper Dale Griffiths defended strongly following wave after wave of attacks.
 

Brilliant opening goal

 
The North Wales outfit took the lead in the 28^th minute with a brilliant solo goal by in form Darlington, ghosting past at least three or four Bluebirds, kept his composure before he drilled a right footed effort into the bottom corner to break the deadlock. It was no more than what the Oswestry outfit deserved.

Jamie Mullan squandered a superb opportunity to put TNS two-up, blifting his close range shot over keeper James that flew agonisingly over the crossbar.

Luke Borrelli tried a shot from distance that flew wide, and that was the Bluebirds’ first real shot of the afternoon.

The champions extended their lead in the 38^th minute, midfielder Christian Seargeant curling a stunning free kick into the far corner for a terrific finish.

James pulled off another stunning fingertip save to deny Wilde’s goal bound header as the score line stayed 2-0 at half time.

In the 59^th minute Darlington added his second goal of the match, a superb diving header inside the box that was created from a low cross from the right.
 

Penalty save

 
Soon after the visitors were awarded a penalty in the 64^th minute, Mullan was tripped inside the box, keeper James pulled off a magnificent save to deny Darlington his hat-trick, the keeper diving low down to his right to make the stop.

In the 76^th minute John Roberts broke clear but his shot flew over TNS keeper and skipper Paul Harrison, crashing into the side netting – that was the Bluebirds' best scoring chance of this one sided clash.

The champions added a fourth goal 12 minutes from full time, with the very next attack; substitute Greg Draper neatly tucked a low-drilled shot home from 12 yards.

Haverfordwest County: Scott James; Ricky Watts; Ryan Batley; Sam Rodon; Dale Griffiths (Captain); Nicky Palmer; Luke Borrelli; Greg Walters; Jack Christopher; Declan Carroll; Steffan Williams. Substitutes: Sean Pemberton; John Roberts; Jordan Follows; Spencer Williams.

The New Saints: Paul Harrison (Captain); Ryan Pryce; Chris Marriott; Connell Rawlinson; Kai Edwards; Christian Seargeant; Scott Quigley; Alex Darlington; Jamie Mullan; Michael Wilde. Substitutes: Ryan Edwards; Phil Baker; Adrian Cieslewicz; Greg Draper; Jamie Reed; Andrew Wycherley.
 

Haverfordwest County before facing TNS