DEFENDING champions The New Saints beat last year’s runners-up Bala Town for the second time in four days in the Dafabet Welsh Premier League as early goals from Robbie Parry and Alex Darlington set up a well-deserved 2-0 success at Flint on Tuesday night.

Having lost 5-1 just three days earlier, the Lakesiders reeled in the changes, with Ashley Morris, Tony Davies, Lee Hunt, Mark Jones and Conall Murtagh all coming in to replace Ryan Valentine, Ian Sheridan, Mike Hayes, Alex Lynch and the suspended Anthony Stephens.Once again, however, the Lakesiders found themselves trailing after only six minutes when Robbie Parry was picked out by his midfield, and the forward slotted home his chance into the bottom corner from a tight angle.

The Saints quickly doubled their lead when a mistake at the back saw Phil Draper set up Alex Darlington, who drilled a stunning volley into the top right hand corner of the net to make it 2-0 after quarter of an hour.

From the restart, the Lakesiders nearly got a goal back when Lee Hunt blazed a half volley over the crossbar from the edge of the 18 yard line.Bala went close again before the interval when a free kick was delivered into the box by Ryan Edwards, Stuart Jones leapt up to head the ball goalwards, but Kieran Smith flicked the ball wide onto the upright.

In the second period, Hunt scuffed an effort from 18 yards out, and Chris Venables saw a powerful goalbound strike take a crucial touch off Connell Rawlinson and was blocked away.

The Saints remained in control of the possession, but Bala looked to hit them on the counter-attack, and Ryan Wade appeared to be brought down by Chris Marriott, but play continued.The Saints, however, could have extended their lead and a shot from Draper went over the crossbar, and Christian Seargeant also forced a save from returning keeper Morris.

Bala came close again to reducing the deficit when a short corner was taken quickly by Jones, but Tony Davies couldn’t capitalise, and another chance was headed clear off the line in the closing stages.

The injury-hit Lakesiders at least came through the game unscathed, and there were plenty of positives to take from this performance against the clear title favourites.

All attention now turns to this Friday’s keenly-anticipated game, when the Lakesiders make a welcome return to Maes Tegid for their inaugural home match on the new 3G surface - against old rivals Bangor City.

BALA TOWN: A Morris, S Jones, T Davies, R Edwards, K Smith, R Wade, M Jones, N Burke, C Venables, C Murtagh, L Hunt (M Hayes 77). Subs not used: A Lynch (gk), S Fisher, S J Jones, L Owens

TNS: P Harrison, S Spender, C Marriott, S Saunders, C Rawlinson, J Routledge, C Seargeant (P Baker 89), A Darlington, R Parry (J Mullan 82), G Draper (W Fletcher 65), R Brobbel. Subs not used: R Pryce, J Jones, A Wycherley (gk) Attendance: 124. Referee: Kevin Parry.