The Saints played Rhayader Town yesterday and made the worst possible start when after two minutes defender Stuart Davies tripped Kevin Martin out wide and referee Rob Evans awarded a free kick . Player Manager Dylan Mcphee played a quality cut back to striker Tom Jones who finished well to put the visitors 1-0 up. Rhayader were the better side for the remainder of the first half with Martin hitting the post from an accute angle. Hay came close to scoring when Kevin Jones hit a first time shot which the Rhayader keeper got down to late to and tipped it around the post. On the stroke of half time Garry Keeble pulled back Martin and the referee awared a penalty. Mcphee stepped up and shot low to keeper Bryan Kirkhams right, Kirkham pulled off a great save and then was first to the rebound to kick it behind to safety.
HT 0-1
What was said by Manager Fil Wisnieski at half must have been taken on board because the Saints came out a different side and within two minutes of the kick off for the second half were level when left wing Gavin Williams lobbed the Rhayader keeper from 20 yards to score an excellent goal.The Saints then dominated for a long period but either bad finishing or good goalkeeping kept Rhayader in the tie. The Saints were now playing all the football and Rhayader were resorting to the long ball which kept coming back at them.With 15 to go the away side started to get back into the game and when midfielder Chris Preece lost the ball while attacking the Saints were caught on the counter attack by a quick move, Kirkham Saved well again from Martin but the ball fell to Midfielder Robbie Owen who finished well from 15 yards out to make it 2-1 with about 12 minutes to go. The Saints pushed for the equaliser forcing several corners towards the end and were unlucky to not have got a penalty when the ball hit a Rhayader defender on the hand when they were well above his head.
Final score Saints 1 Rhayader Town 2.
I thought we started slow and gave them to much time on the ball and we were also very deep in the 1st half. After whatever Fil said to them at half time we were by far the better side in the 2nd half and on another day could have scored several goals. The man of the match goes to the whole team for an excellent performance.