TNS Secure Welsh Cup

TNS found more success this season as they secured a league and cup double on Sunday, adding the Welsh Cup to the Welsh Premier League crown beating League Cup winners Carmarthen Town.

In a tense encounter at Llanelli's Stebonheath Park extra time looked likely before John Lawless pounced to score the winner 15 minutes from time in a game dominated by a strong wind and bone-dry pitch latching on to a long-ball from Martin Naylor to fire a shot under keeper Carmarthen keeper Tony Pennock.

Although Carmarthen had enjoyed some early pressure with the wind at their backs, they were unable to get through a tight TNS defence registering just a long-range effort from captain Rhodri Jones in the first half.

After the interval TNS took the game to the south Wales side, with Michael Wilde narrowly close to opening their account with a diving header from Jamie Wood's cross.

League Cup winners Carmarthen refused to be beaten and searched desperately for an equaliser, but the closest they would come was a deflected shot from substitute Nathan Cotterrall forcing TNS keeper Gerard Doherty to save at full stretch.

TNS manager Ken McKenna - who earlier ths week outrageously declared that the game should have been played in England - was overjoyed to clinch the double but was unsurprisingly disappointed with the conditions faced by both sides.

"The pitch and a blowing gale made it difficult and I would have liked us to win it with a bit of style," he said.

TNS' next major challenge will be their Champions' League qualifyer over the summer before the defending their Welsh Premier League title, while Carmarthen's efforts earn a UEFA Cup place despite losing yesterday.