JOY OF SIX AS TNS CRUISE PAST PORT TALBOT

THE NEW SAINTS 6 V PORT TALBOT TOWN 0
WELSH PREMIER LEAGUE  31 JAN 2015---2.30PM

PARK HALL THE HOME OF TNS FC

They were certainly dancing in the street of TNS tonight as the Park Hall clubs anthem states following this domination of the visitors from South Wales, a supremacy that gained the current WPL Champions a victory by scoring 6 goals without reply.
The New Saints must be heading towards another Championship, its difficult to see who can stop them, after they controlled this game from the start to the finish against a Port Talbot side who have had a resurgence since the arrival of new manager Bernard McNally.
More on the game in a while but the day didn't start to early this time with a change at Birmingham first the journey was made more enjoyable by entering conversation with a lady who educated me on the art of bee keeping and honey production and secondly a seat was secured.  Following the change and arrival at Shrewsbury station there was four minutes to get to platform 3 for the train to Gobowen the train was in and as I flew down to the underpass only to be flumaxed as how to get to platform 3.  A panic enquiry to the ticket barrier inspector who let me through sharpish and advised me to leave the station turn left and left again up the first flight of stairs, breathless I fell into a seat to gather some composure.  Before to long we were in Gobowen and the station is a grand old affair and the nearest station now to TNS and their Park Hall ground.

OSWESTRY TRAIN STATION [CLOSED]

Off the tracks and with an hour or so to spare I decided to pick up an Arriva bus into Oswestry for a look around the town of Wilfred Owen famous war time poet.  The bus station appeared as far away from the town centre as Widnes train station from its centre [see Windes Fc blog], well nearly anyway.
The stroll around took in various highlights from church to guildhall and then the former Oswestry train station a real gem just begging for a revival.
On arrival at Burma Road an entrance point to the ground I passed the former HQ of Total Network Solutions, TNS owner and Chairman's successful company that was sold to BT and sadly now looks closed.
On arrival at the ground the large car park sits at the front of The Venue a fantastic leisure complex with gym, ten pin bowling, pool, darts, ball park and large function room with catering for snacks, warms drinks and a separate double fronted bar for a stronger tipple.  Chairman Mike Harris was busy welcoming and helping at the bar and talking of greetings it would be remiss of me not to mention Gilbert Woolley Media and Communications Officer for TNS who showed me a warm welcome and his assistance all afternoon, he also cleared me to take photos at todays game.  Thank you it was a great welcome and lovely to be received so well, credit to TNS.

THEY KNOW HOW TO DO TV's AT TNS

The TV in the Venue has to be mentioned its huge and is made up of 9 large televisions screens that would probably dwarf most living rooms!  The function room was in full swing with younger visitors and kids parties taking place and with a wide range of age groups being involved with the club TNS can clearly claim community club status alongside The TNS FC Foundation for getting all involved.  Indeed the club are now looking to develop some new five a side pitches at the Park Hall site to further enhance facilities.
A lot of the history of TNS gets a little complicated from a club now proudly representing the former teams of Oswestry Town and Llansantfraid through to a club that previously ran under the name of Total Network Solutions it now seems to have settled into its current title of The New Saints.  Many in the Welsh Premier League profess a less than favourable attitude to TNS but who in their right mind of these clubs would not like a Chairman like Mike Harris who has invested in the set up and players on show.  I did not get chance to speak to Mr Harris and I know like everybody he is eager for the media outlets to give better recognition to The Welsh Premier League and surely his commitment should see that happen.
As in Scotland with English club Berwick Rangers competing in the Scottish leagues there is probably a bit of Welsh resentment that the club is based in England in the Shropshire borders.  That said the whole Welsh situation is a bit of a mess with Colwyn Bay still playing in the English non league set up alongside Wrexham too.
Anyway back to the ground and to the left of The Venue is a small pathway that lead to a turnstile block featuring two entry points. 

TV GANTRY FOR GIANTS

The first thing that strikes you is probably the most impressive TV gantry you will ever see its massive and high, the second highlight of the gound is the large and commanding floodlights.  To the left of the turnstile is a uncovered walkway and the far touchline below the gantry is another uncovered walkway with the dugouts also housed on this side.  The border to the walkways are typical leisure centre meshed fencing.  Behind the far goal the stand just goes along half of the baseline with green tip up seats it was the home of the Port Talbot Town Ultras who kept the atmosphere at a slightly louder level with their usual drum accompaniment and vocal encouragement.

PORT TALBOT ULTRAS TOURING WALES AND SHROPSHIRE

Its a long journey for the lads and whereever you see Port Talbot they will be there representing the club and town.  Eight hour round trip great commitment lads well done!  Strangely the green tip up seats saw many devoid of their seats not sure if there's a good story there.  Coming round to the front of the venue and at the side of the behind goal stand is a red seated covered stand that always reminds me of a stand you might see at Burghley Horse Trails, not that I have blogged there yet! 

THE DERMA V10 STAND

MICHAEL WILDE WITH MICHAEL WILDE!

This continues to just short of the half way line where uncovered walkway continues only interrupted by a green pull out players tunnel.  Were back to the turnstiles now and a small burgee wagon is pulled to the side here serving a selection of eats.  You can gain access to the main Venue via a set of external stairs for a further wide range of snacks and meals that all looked very tasty.  Besides the other activities in the function room the wall is covered with professional produced wall art in recognition to TNS and their successes and community involvement, the approach corridors are covered with large player prints. 
At half time I managed to secure Michael Wilde to have his picture taken with a pop up advertisement that he also featured on. 
Michael is recovering from a fractured cheek bone and he will be out for a few more weeks yet, we wish him well in his recovery and return to action.

CONNAH MCFENTON TALBOTS KEEPER SAVES THIS ONE

Interestingly today TNS chose to play in their away shirts but had there home shorts on, maybe the laundry had a busy week following last Sundays Word Cup final victory and the midweek win over Carmarthen.
Todays encounter would mark the start of the second phase of the WPL which now splits the league into two for the remainder of the season.
So to the game and it was really all over you felt when TNS went two up inside the first 22 minutes the first on 8 minutes from Greg Draper was matched by a wonderfully placed strike from Scott Quigley and then the same played secured a second to make it 3-0 at half time.
The second half saw Port Talbot pack a secure double line of defenders and TNS were patient in trying to add to the score line it finally came through Connell Rawlinson which led to another two in quick succession Jamie Mullan hit a vicious drove from 12 yards out to make it 5 and then on the strike of time Draper added his second.

CHRIS MARIOTT TAKES ON DANIEL SHEEHAN

TNS were well worth their victory in a game they dominated from start to finish a little disappointing as I had expected Port Talbot to give a better showing although the early goal conceded made it very difficult for them to get back into the game.  The Ligaturf pitch certainly sees TNS playing football constantly on the floor and moving it around fast, although at times the determination not to play corners into the box and always look for a short corner takes away a little from the chance of delivering the ball into the danger
area.

But on the other side they wanted to score quality goals by pinging the ball around and 6-0 probably answers my statement.

CIESLEWICZ AND KERSHAW WARMING UP

 

OSWESTRY'S NEW PARKWAY STATION!

Well twenty past four arrived all too soon and it was time for me to take my leave of Park Hall and I had decided to make the walk back to Gobowen station.
Well its a good walk and I had estimated half an hour and that's a good timing for what needs to be a pacey walk.  Gobowen was arrived at with about 4 minutes to spare I think a taxi is a good idea for a return.
The train journey back to Birmingham, before the final stage, was superbly accompanied by Rob a fellow hopper who had also made his first TNS visit it was good to hear of his efforts to cover all clubs at league and conference clubs in The Football League/Premiership alongside all Scottish League and of course The Welsh Premier League.  I think Rob, like myself, had been impressed by the club and its friendliness something that I would recommend to any hopper considering a visit.
Hopefully it wont be too long before I get a revisit to TNS and also catch them on the road at a future away fixture and maybe even I can then be 'dancing in the street of TNS'!

THE FORMER OSWESTRY STATION PLATFORM NEXT TRAIN AT PLATFORM 1 2020?