Andrew Harris’ team had a productive weekend after gaining 3 points on Saturday against Penybont United, today they knocked local rivals Talgarth Town out of The Alfred Sparey Cup 3-1 in the Semi -Final stage with goals from Stephen Price, Chris Preece and Lloyd Holland.
Saints Reserves 2 Penybont United 0
The Reserves dominted this game from start to finish with midfielder Rob Snedden causing Penybont problems all afternoon. Two Snedden snap shots in the box went just wide, it didn’t take him long to find the net and what a goal it was, he cut in from the left and unleashed a 25 yarder which gave the keeper no chance, a definate goal of the season contender. More chances fell to the homeside but a combination of poor finishing and good goalkeeping kept the score to 1-0 going in at the break. ht 1-0.
The second half was a simular pattern with Snedden running at the Bont defence from all over the pitch, Penybont were just happy to clear their lines and when they did get it forward Steve Jones and Toby Johnson were in top from at the back giving nothing away.
A Snedden free kick on the hour landed on top of the net with a lot of the home supporters thinking it was in(me included). It was youngster Will Goodwin who worked hard all afternoon who netted the second when he turned in the box and drilled a shot past the visiting keeper for 2-0.
The Saints saw the game out with ease with the only good chance Penybont had was in the 85th minute but their striker blasted wide when through on goal. ft 2-0.
A solid team performance and a well deserved 3 points. I thought Toby Johnson and Steve Jones stood out but man of the match for me was Rob Snedden who looked back to his best.
Team- Mike Ward, Steve Jones, Toby Johnson, Chris Bounds, Will Goodwin, Rob Snedden, Graeme Keeble, Johhny Daw(Stu Snedden), Jamie Howard, John Sly(c). Oli Cooke.
Saints Reserves 3 Talgarth Town 1.
Striker Price.
In very hot conditions it was the Saints who had the better of the opening exchanges but found themselves 0-1 down in the 7th minute when a ball over the top found former Saint Rob Macnamra who volleyed first time past Ian Jones for the opening goal 0-1.
The remainder of the first half was a tight affair with Stephen Price and John Sly working well together upfront causing problems for Towns defence, with Graeme Keeble, Rob Snedden and Wayne Evans just edging the midfield battle. The closest the Saints came to scoring was a couple of long range Snedden efforts, Keeble also sent in a couple of quality free kicks which Talgarth struggled to get away to safety. No more goals were scored when the referee blew for half time. ht 0-1.
Saints Mike Ward looks on.
The second half was all Hay with midfielder Rob Snedden causing Talgarth major problems with his direct running, a Snedden shot from 20 yards was spilled by Kirkham and the first person to react was striker Price who blasted the ball in from close range for 1-1. Five minutes later it was 2-1 when a Snedden free kick was pushed away by Kirkham only for Chris Preece to head it straight back into the top corner of the net.
Town were struggling to get out of their half and with 20 minutes to go John Sly chased a ball down in the corner before laying it off to Steve Price, Price looked up and saw Lloyd Holland bursting into the box and sent over an inch perfect cross to the head of Holland who headed past a diving Kirkham for 3-1.
Town brought on Brian Keddle for the last 20 minutes but he saw red five minutes after coming on for something he said to the referee. Kevin Lloyd also came on for Town and battled well in the middle of the park but it was too late with Jones only having to make one save in the second half.
Another great team performance from the Reserves, Snedden was influential once again but the whole team gets my men of the match. I bet Wis and Joey are now worried about their place after Becksy’s performance upfront today!
Team- Ian Jones(c), Sam Bradley, Chris Preece, Toby Johnson(Steve Jones), Mike Ward, Graeme Keeble, Rob Snedden, Jake Atkinson, Stephen Price(Stu Snedden), John Sly, Wayne Evans(Lloyd Holland).