Manager Harris rang the changes despite last weekends 7-2 win over Newbridge sticking with the 4-4-2 formation that reaped dividends. Harris was afforded the luxury of bringing back in the centre half pairing of Winstone and Pugh pushing Sam Bradley into an unaccustomed role in the centre of midfield with Jamie Howard who returned after a one match ban with stretched over two months.
Hay started extremely well in an entertaining game that saw four goals in the opening ten minutes with Rob Snedden showing great vision to score a lofted shot over the visiting ‘keeper from around 30 yards after a quick break away. Hay seemed to be in the ascendancy only to be caught on the counter attack moments later when a deep ball over the top eluded the Saints defence for Josh Rees to score past Jones with a perfectly weighted header.
Hay were 2-1 in arrears when Lewis Davies put the visitors in front after some neat interchanges in midfield. Davies making a lovely slanted run, beating the offside trap to slot home past the advancing Jones. This seemed to spur on the home side who went close almost from the re-start with Bradley having a shot pushed away for a corner by Rhayaders former welsh under 19’s ‘keeper Eifion Price. In the resulting phase of play however the prolific John Sly grabbed Hay’s equaliser after a goal mouth scramble saw Holland and Cooke both thwarted by some last ditch defending.
The rest of the first half was played out in style with both sides looking to go into half time in front with both defences under pressure. At times it was end to end stuff and in all honesty it could have ended 5-5 but neither side showed the cutting edge in front of goal to break the deadlock.
HT 2-2
The second half started at the same high tempo as the first half ended with manager Harris asking for a bit more width from the home side. If Harris was worried about tired legs after a long lay off for many of the players he needn’t have, as the midfield pairing of Howard and Snedden began to take control with their vision and range of passing, carving the away side open on numerous occasions.
It was down to Sly to settle matters once again for Hay as he latched on to a Snedden through ball to volley past the advancing ‘keeper with the ball dipping under the cross bar sparking mass celebrations for the home side.
As it was in the first half there were chances galore for either side with the home side having two penalty appeals turned down and the visitors number nine Jason Coles left to wonder what might have been after blasting over an empty net from five yards. Alex Simmonds could have made it safe for Hay when the substitute broke through, only to cut back onto his left foot and lose momentum.
The last ten minutes were very tight-with Harris bringing on Jones, Simmonds and young Stuart Snedden to replace the tired legs of Bradley, Holland and Cooke- but neither side could muster up another goal with the game finishing 3-2.
Harris was extremely pleased after the the game with the performance as much as the result. He said ” It was real backs to the wall stuff at times against a well organised Rhayader side who never gave up for the 90 minutes. We played some really good football at times and although neither side deserved to lose I think we did enough to warrant the 3 points. We’re still in touch with the league leaders and there is no reason why we can’t put a good run together and challenge for honours come the end of the season bearing in the mind the quality players we have at the club.”
FT 3-2
Harris couldn’t choose one person as man of the match today due to such an excellent team performance but still chose to point out that John Slys return of 12 goals in 5 games as a major factor in the good run of form the reserves are currently enjoying. Next up for Hay is the visit of Newcastle this Saturday where they will be looking to exorcise the demons of the 4-1 defeat they suffered earlier in the season.