Knighton and Hay had to settle with a point each from their weekend encounter after a 1-1 draw. The hosts got off to a flyer, when the hugely unlucky Dan Jones scored an own goal. Soon after though, Hay were level through a stunning goal from Johnny Daw. Both sides had chances to win the game, with Knighton hitting the post and Daw coming close to grabbing the points near the death.
Hay, under the guidance of Ben Bevan in his first-game, were up against it early on. A half-volleyed cross was put into a dangerous area and after a deflection, Jones, facing his own goal diverted the ball past the helpless Jack Bradley. Hay soon warmed into the game with John Sly and Daw using their pace and strength up front to cause problems. Daw was soon to score his third goal in two games, picking up the ball on the right-wing, and neatly skipping past two before unleashing a left-foot rocket into the back of the net, despite the best efforts of the home ‘keeper. A quickly taken corner from Gareth Pugh allowed Kevin Goodwin to drive in on goal, with his eventual left-foot shot cleared off the line. Knighton had the best chances in the remainder of the first-half; a long-ball caught out the back-line and a lob by the home team’s striker came off the post. The follow up from the same player looked to be heading in but his strike partner nodded in and the linesman gave offside. Bradley showed his credentials, growing in confidence as the game went on, with a fine-one handed save after a crisp right-foot shot before Sam Powell’s strong tackle cleared the ball out of the danger area.
The second-half was full of energy from both sides, but clear-cut chances were few and far between. Will Goodwin volleyed wide from a tight angle after shrugging off the intentions of his marker and a long-range lobbed effort from Jamie Howard cleared the crossbar. At the other end, Knighton spurned a good chance to go in front when a weak back-pass from the otherwise excellent Graeme Keeble saw their attacker go one on one with Bradley but he was indecisive with a finish, finishing with a weak chip which was easily held. A long-punt forward was well controlled by Daw and he used his pace to gain half a yard on the defender, before smashing a left-foot strike goalwards which was tipped around the post. In the closing stages, both sides were leaving gaps defensively as they pushed forward for the winner and Sly was denied a great chance to win it with an excellent defensive block.
It was a competitive match between two teams that are likely to be up near the top of the table come May. Knighton opted to play the long-ball for the majority of the game to their target man with Hay’s stand in centre-half Powell in impeccable form. Hay, playing 3-5-2, looked solid enough across the field but were unable to find that elusive winning goal. Next up for Bevan and co is a trip to Radnor Valley this coming Saturday.
Hay: Bradley, Jones, Powell, Graeme Keeble (Simmonds), Pugh (Snedden), W. Goodwin, Gary Keeble, K. Goodwin, Howard, Sly, Daw.
Subs not used: Davies.
Final score: Knighton 1-1 Saints