Man of the match Johnny Daw..
An excellent second-half performance from Hay saw them come away from Talgarth Reserves with a decent 3-0 victory. The first-half saw an equal encounter, with the tightly set up formation allowing few chances for the host. Yet, in the second-period, a change to 4-4-2 allowed more freedom in Hay’s play and they took advantage of this with Johnny Daw netting either side of a close-range Will Goodwin finish.
The first-half was a tight affair and chances were few and far between. Byron Carey had a strong appeal for a penalty waved away after he looked to be tripped by Ian Jones. Hay’s best chances came from long-range, with Daw shooting straight at Meadows, and likewise Steve Goodwin. Will Goodwin’s curling strike bought out the best of Meadows, with his strike heading towards the top corner but Meadows made a fine diving tip to push it over the bar. With the scores level at half-time, the first goal was always going to be very important.
Both teams came out in the wet conditions with attacking intent at the start of the second-period with Jones having to be alert to backtrack and pick up a long ball that had deflected goalwards off Phil Davies. A goalmouth scramble saw W. Goodwin head against the bar before Talgarth managed to smash the ball out of the danger area. Yet, around the 55th minute, Daw struck to hand Hay an all important lead. Good work from S. Goodwin in the middle saw him create some room and feed a pass to Daw, who span before skimming a shot off the surface and past the despairing dive of Meadows. With that goal, the confidence started to spread amongst the team and chances were soon being created and the second goal soon followed. A counter-attack down the right started with Graeme Keeble finding Kevin Goodwin. He fed in the right-wing burst from Tom Wilkes and his delicious low cross was indefendable allowing W. Goodwin to tap in at the far post. The scores was made 3-0 with the goal of the evening as Daw struck for the second time. Again, some nice one and two touch football eventually saw the ball make its way to Daw and he curled a right-foot shot from 25 yards into the corner and out of the reach of Meadows. A further goal perhaps should have been added as Jamie Howard somehow struck over the bar from close-range when neatly put in.
In blustery and wet conditions, the first-half lacked action. Hay however picked it up in the second-period and thoroughly deserved the points at the end of the ninety minutes. Man of the match goes to Daw, who was a constant threat with neat footwork, a class first-touch and two superbly executed goals. S. Goodwin pushed him close for a hard-working display in the middle of the park. Next up is The Welsh Cup on Saturday when Afc Porth are the visitors to Forest Road.
Hay: I. Jones, J. Atkinson (P. Davies), S. Bradley, C. Preece, T. Johnson (T. Wilkes), W. Goodwin, Gary Keeble, Graeme Keeble, S. Goodwin (J. Howard), J. Daw, K. Goodwin.
Subs not used: J. Sly, D. Evans.
Final score: Talgarth Reserves 0-3 Hay.