Presteigne Reserves left Forest Road today with all three point after a comprehensive victory over the Saints. The visitors scored four times with the homeside failing to convert any of their chances.
The visitors dominated proceedings in the first-half, with Hay failing to get a foothold on the game throughout. Presteigne’s tricky striker picked up the ball on the edge of the box, and created room to strike right-footed past Michael Ward. They soon found themselves two up when a corner from the right went through a number of bodies and the big centre-half smashed in from close-range. Toby Johnson rose well inside the box to head off-target in a rare chance for the Saints, but it was Presteigne who went in at the break with a comfortable lead. A free-kick from the left was swung in by the impressive Danny Ives and an unfortunate defensive deflection left Ward rooted to the spot.
Credit to the Saints though in the second-half, as they started to get the ball down and create chances. The game had opened up alot, giving space down both flanks to exploit. Josh Davies’s rasping free-kick was well held by the away ‘keeper whilst Kevin Goodwin should have finished after racing onto a loose ball but a weak left-foot shot was blocked by the ‘keepers’ feet. The visitors continued to threaten, and missed a number of good opportunities, presented to them as Hay pushed forward. In the closing stages, David Evans missed the target with a rising shot and Goodwin curled wide with minutes to go from 20 yards. In the final minute, Presteigne added a fourth when their midfielder broke into the box and finished well with his left-foot.
A disappointing result, after a fairly dour performance from the Saints. Credit to Presteigne, who were well-organised, strong and fairly decent on the ball. Hay will need to pick themselves up for a very tough away fixture at high-flying Newcastle next Saturday. Gareth Pugh looks likely to miss out after sustaining a nasty looking ankle injury.
Hay: Ward, Simmonds, Davies, Johnson, Williams, W. Goodwin, Pugh, Keeble, Snedden, K. Goodwin, Evans.
Subs: Harrington, James, Ward-Willis.