The Saints won 0-3 at Machynlleth FC today.
Jack Biggs put us ahead at the break, a Brendan Hackett free kick on the hour doubled the lead and with fifteen to go a ‘Mach’ player put through his own net under pressure from Tom Landon to seal the win.
Ft 0-3
More to follow
Chris Preece was back after missing Saturdays opener.
The Saints won 0-8 away at Newbridge-On-Wye FC in a league fixture.
For 40 minutes we were second best and nobody would of predicted this score. However, a red card on 42 minutes and some clinical finishing in the second half saw us net eight unanswered goals.
Goal scorers Matty Tong (3), Jack Biggs (3), Darren Horrigan and Brendan Hackett.
The opening 25 minutes saw us on the back foot with the young Newbridge side pressing high up the field, however, they never really tested our keeper. Liam Pike and Chris Preece both missing on Saturday gave us that extra physicality at the back along with Tom James and Adam Finn.
In a rare Saints attack, right winger Adi Lawford beat his marker before crossing into the box where Jack Biggs guided the ball into the path of left winger Darren Horrigan who finished well from 12 yards out 0-1.
Newbridge continued to put us on the back foot but again in the 42nd minute we countered and caught them out, Biggs was pulled back in the box after being put in by Matty Tong. The Newbridge midfielder who had only just been booked was shown a second yellow and we were awarded a penalty which Biggs duly dispatched. Ht 0-2
To their credit the home side came at is in the second half but this left gaps everywhere which we exploited and were clinical in our finishing, Biggs added two more to claim his hat-trick and put us 0-4 up. Striker Tong netted a quick fire hat-trick the third after an inch perfect through ball from veteran Tom Weaver.
The goal of the game was saved until last when Biggs and Brendan Hackett combined, Hackett with the final touch making the final score 0-8.
A good win after a poor start on Saturday.
Man of the match Jack Biggs, 3 goals and 3 assists.
We are away again on Saturday at Machynlleth where we are without Callum Maddy (Suspended), Matty Tong (Holiday), Will Goodwin (Injured), Jamie Howard (Unavailable), Liam Pike (Working), and Harry Ratcliffe (Away)
Liam Pike made his debut.
The Saints were beaten 2-5 today by Four Crosses FC.
The turning point in the game came in the 40th minute. Whilst leading 2-1 with goals from Matty Tong and Jack Biggs, youngster Callum Maddy was shown a straight red for throwing his marker to the floor after another late challenge on the midfielder.
We started brightly and deservedly went ahead in the 4th minute when Richard Meredith’s long throw was flicked on by Jack Biggs to Matty Tong, who rolled the ball onto his favoured left foot and shot from the edge of the area into the top right corner of the net giving the keeper no chance.(1-0)
The visitors were not behind for long, a lob from 22 yards flew into the back of the net over keeper Tom Lewis.
We continued to play well, Adi Lawford hit the crossbar after shot from the edge of the area. We went back ahead when Brendan Hacketts corner was headed in by the impressive Biggs. (2-1)
It wasn’t one way traffic, the visitors went close on a couple of occasions but failed to find the back of the net. Tong headed inches over and Biggs again went close with another header from a corner. We also felt we had two good penalty appeals waved away, the one looked stone wall but the referee waved play on.
The game turned in the 40th minute when Callum Maddy who was having a very good match saw red for retaliating after being on the end of yet another late challenge. Maddy got up and threw his opponent to the floor, referee Andrew Mills had no option other than show a red card.
Ht 2-1
The second half couldn’t have started any worse than it did, within two minutes ‘Crosses’ equalised after a back pass should of been cleared. Five minutes later goal keeper Lewis and striker Tong had to leave the field with injuries.
It didn’t take long for the visitors to take the lead, we did have a couple of chances at 2-3, replacement Harry Hooper going close and again Biggs was unlucky. The visitors broke and put the game to bed 2-4 and from there on in controlled the rest of the game adding one more to their total.
ft 2-5
Four Crosses looked a good side and will be up towards the top come the end of the season in my opinion but for 40 minutes we more than matched them, Callum’s sending off cost us the game. I understand his frustrations as he’d also just been stamped on by the same player but if the referee hasn’t seen it you can’t take matters into your own hands like that. We will now be without one of our best players for a couple of games. It’s one of those days to forget, however, we go into the next game without 3 maybe 4 of our starting 11 from Saturday.
Many thanks to match sponsor Jamie Evans who chose Jack Biggs as our man of the match.
Tomorrow the new season starts as we host newly promoted Four Crosses FC.
Refreshments available throughout the game.
Kington Town 2-4 Saints
The Saints won their final pre season game away at Hereford Prem side Kington Town. Goalscorers were Jack Biggs, Brendan Hackett, Richard Meredith and Adi Lawford.
Saints 0 Llandrindod Wells 5
We came up against a strong Llandrindod side last night and unfortunately ended up on the wrong side of a heavy defeat.
For the opening 40 minutes you wouldn’t have known which side was in the higher league but once they opened the scoring we were well and truly outplayed.
The first goal came on 41 minutes after our keeper was fouled, he was on the floor when the ball was put in the back of the net with a bleeding mouth.
Two minutes we didn’t clear our lines and the visitors again had a two yard tap in.
The second half saw them dominate physically whilst also playing some good football on the ground as Llandod teams tend to do.
I think all three second half goals were headed from set pieces, their number 9 Shane Pritchard caused us a lot of problems throughout.
The Gaffer wasn’t too concerned, Preecy, Will . G and Adam were all missing from the back and Tom James had to be replaced on 43 minutes, Tom Landon also limped off with a groin strain so we were a bit short of numbers come half time.
We had a couple of half chances but ‘Dod’ keeper Joe Prosser wasn’t really tested.
The Saints won 6-1 in tonight’s pre season friendly against Hereford under 18’s.
Goal scorers were Mattt Tong(2) , Jack Biggs(2), Tom Landon and Callum Maddy.
Brendan Hackett
Jack Biggs
Matty Tong
New signing Tom James
New signing Liam Pike
Callum Maddy
The Saints won their second pre season fixture 5-4 at Forest Road against Hereford based Hinton FC.
Goal scorers were Brendan Hackett, Matty Tong, Jack Biggs and Callum Maddy(2).
Next up is training Thursday followed by a friendly against Hereford under 18’s.
The Saints retained ‘The Gateway Cup’ after a comprehensive 6-0 win over local rivals Talgarth Town FC.
Many thanks to sponsors William Beales and Co and Mike Harris.
A minutes applause was held before the game for Debbie Ward who sadly passed away last week. Debbie and her family have been involved in local football for several years and both of her sons Mike and Ceri have played for us.
Goal scorers were Matty Tong, Jack Biggs(2), Harry Ratcliffe, Tom James and Tom Landon (Penalty).
