Hay cruised to their second successive home victory over Prestiegne Reserves at Forest Road. Six first-half strikes were netted without reply, before the visitors struck two late goals in the first-half after some defensive lapses. Hay continued to press in the second-half, adding five more goals, whilst again, Prestiegne scored another consolation after slopping defending.
Hay were in the lead within the first two minutes, Stuart Snedden poking home from close-range. Jake Atkinson then netted a second, with a powerful 25 yard strike into the corner. Josh Davies slotted in a third as Hay ran riot, with Gavin Williams marking his return from injury with a neat turn and finish inside the area. Jake Atkinson’s delightful one-two ended with a curling effort eluding the ‘keeper, before Brendan Hackett’s pin-point cross was nodded in at the back-post by Kevin Goodwin. The visitors were shell shocked, but grabbed two late first-half goals, firstly through their striker, nicking the ball off a Saints’ defender, before beating Mike Ward with a low strike. Minutes later, they were awarded a soft penalty which their centre-half took and scored, sending Ward the wrong way.
The second-half continued much in the same vein as the first as Hay dominated; Snedden closed down well in attack, and the ball fell nicely to K. Goodwin, who fired into the corner. Sub Will Goodwin then tapped in close-range to make it eight, before Prestiegne again netted themselves. Once again, Hay were guilty of over-playing at the back, and their striker clincally finished past the helpless’ Ward. Dan Jones also came off the bench to grab a goal, superbly heading in a lofted cross from W. Goodwin. In the final ten minutes, Hay added two more, firstly after good work from Hackett on the byline, his cut across was slid into his own net by a visiting defender, before J. Davies toe-poked in from 20 yards to finish the scoring. K. Goodwin should have completed his hattrick with the final chance of the game, following superb work by Hackett, but the striker completely bottled his effort, firing wide when it looked easier to score.
A fairly routine victory for the Saints, against Prestiegne, with an encouraging 60 minutes from Gavin Williams, after his ankle injury. Atkinson also returned to the team, and scored two corkers. Next up for Hay is a trip to Sennybridge on Tuesday evening, whilst Bucknell entertain the Saints next weekend.
Hay: Ward, Bradley, Preece, Johnson, J. Davies, Williams, S. Davies, Atkinson, Hackett, K. Goodwin, Snedden.
Subs: Jones, W. Goodwin.