The Saints were beaten 2-5 against a young Newbridge side this afternoon at Forest Road.
Trailing 0-2 early on, just before half time goals from Matty Tong and Jack Biggs leveled the score going in at the break. The second half saw us push for a winner but two Ollie Woods goals and an own goal by Jamie Howard saw the visitors deservedly win 2-5
We were slow starting and soon found ourselves on the back foot with Newbridge pressing us high up the pitch. Tom Lewis made an excellent save from a first-time half-volleyed effort but was soon picking the ball out of the net moments later when the visitors were awarded an 11th minute spot-kick for a handball from the subsequent corner.
In a rare attack Matty Tong could only pull his shot wide of the goal after latching on to a through ball.
The visitors doubled their lead in the 22 minute, a cross from the right wasn’t dealt with and Ollie Woods netted from close range 0-2.
Saints manager Gareth Jenkins changed our formation and within a minute we pulled a goal back. Midfielder Jamie Howard sent a through ball to Tong who this time guided it past the Newbridge keeper. (1-2)
Straight from kick off a lovely cross from the left was headed over the bar by Woods for Newbridge. Just two minutes later it was 2-2, midfielder Jack Biggs scored from close range after a cut back from Tom Landon. We nearly went in at the break ahead but Tong’s first time shot from Bigg’s flick on flew over the bar.
Ht 2-2
The opening exchanges of the second half saw us well on top for the first time in the match, a Biggs through ball again found Tong but his effort from 20 yards out went wide. Biggs then saw his effort go wide after a good passage of play on the edge of the Newbridge area.
The visitors regained the lead in the 70th minute, a good run down the left by Powell saw him find Woods some 22 yards out, the young striker shot into the corner giving Lewis no chance. (2-3)
Woods completed his hat-trick in the 79th minute after latching onto a through ball and again finishing well inside the area. (2-4)
Veteran Tom Weaver went close with two efforts in the last five minutes, but it wasn’t to be and a break away saw Matt Merediths shot deflect off Jamie Howard for a 5th for the visitors.
Ft 2-5
A poor performance by us after last weeks game, Newbridge are a very good side and will be up there at the end of the season.
Many thanks to Tom Weaver for sponsoring the game, Tom chose Callum Maddy as man of the match.
