The Saints travelled to Richards Castle this morning for a league fixture.
The small pitch suited the big physical home side they stopped the Saints passing game and used their two quick strikers who caused the Saints back four problems all game. Darren Laurie in the Hay goal pulled off numerous saves in the first half to keep the score at 0-0. From one of his saves the resulting corner came in and was met with a crisp header which Laurie pushed on to the post but the home striker reacted first to the rebound to put the homeside into a deserved lead on the half hour mark. On the stroke of half-time Dan Jones found space down the left and whipped in a ball for Gareth Jenkins to power in a header at the back post. HT 1-1
The Saints came out much the stronger in the second half and were infront after 48 minutes when Wayne Evans slipped a through ball for Zac Snape who hit a screamer from 20 yards. The next 30 minutes was dominated by Hay but they couldn’t find the back of the net with the home keeper making several good saves one in particular after a volley by Jenkins which he tipped over the bar. With 10 to go the game changed when a 45 yard clearance from a home defender hit striker Ian Davies and sailed in the wind over the stranded Laurie to make it 2-2. The homeside piled the pressure on in the last 10 and were soon 3-2 up after more poor marking from a corner. Within 30 seconds it was 4-2 after a miss kick by centre back Steve Jones went to their striker who finished well from 12 yards. Final Score 4-2.
I don’t think the lads deserved to win this but after coming back to lead 2-1 and then dominating for 30 minutes it was dissapointing to lose 4-2. On the plus side Dan Jones played well as a striker, it was good to see Chris Mills fit again after a long lay off with injury,Steve Jones had an excellent game at centre back bar the one mistake. My man of the match would go to Darren Laurie who kept us in the game in the first half.