Hay kept up their unbeaten start to the season with an impressive attacking display at last year’s champions Rhayader Reserves. Brendan Hackett opened the scoring, before Rhayader struck two quick-fire goals to turn the game around. However, Kevin Jones, Hackett and Tom Weaver scored before half-time to give the Saints the advantage. In the second-half, both Jones and Hackett added further goals, before a late Jamie Howard own goal gave Rhayader something to cheer about.
After fast-paced start to the game, both sides settled into some rhythm with the defensive pairing of Chris Preece and Toby Johnson standing strong against some Rhayader attacks. Following Jones left-foot strike, which narrowly missed the far corner, Hay took the lead through Hackett. A weighted through ball was collected by Hackett, who nicked past the ‘keeper before firing into the unguarded net. Yet, it was Rhayader who responded in quick fashion, with two strikes of their own. The first came after a cross wasn’t fully cleared and their midfielder blasted in a volley, which crept under the body of debutant goalie Ethan Tunley. Moments later, another bolt from the blue struck the back of the net, as another midfielder fired in an excellent effort which flew into the top of the corner. Hay’s response was excellent though, and much better than in recent games. Jones was given too much room on the edge of the box, racing past his man before a cute finish back across goal found the corner. Hackett then added his second when he danced around two defenders before hitting a right-footed shot in at the near post. Just before the half-time whistle, Hay gave themselves some breathing space when Jones lofted pass found the run of Weaver, who bravely headed the ball into the net, despite challenges from the ‘keeper and defender.
Rhayader tried their best to get back into the game, testing their luck with some long-range efforts but Tunley was relatively untroubled, making a good save to push a strike over the crossbar. Jones pretty much made the game safe when he collected a pass from the right-wing, before slotting a shot into the near post. A dismal clearance by the home ‘keeper was pounced upon by Hackett, who like his partner Jones, with the earlier goal, rolled the ball past the ‘keeper and into the corner. Rhayader pressed for the final fifteen or so minutes, with Hay playing largely on the counter-attack, with Weaver particularly effective. The hosts were finally rewarded for their determination when a free-kick was whipped in dangerously, and the deftest of touches off Howard resulted in a goal.
Following some shaky, and below par performances of recent, Hay picked themselves back up for this one, and were duly rewarded, scoring some excellent goals, and claiming a big three points. Tunley grew in confidence as the game progressed, in his first senior start, whilst Rory Hackett again had an excellent game at left-back. The striking duo of Jones and Hackett were the difference though, with finishing and build up play of the highest standard. Next up for the Saints is a trip to Knighton Victoria next weekend.
Hay: Tunley, Bradley, Preece, Johnson, R. Hackett, Weaver, Howard, Davies, Snedden, Jones, B. Hackett.
Subs: Goodwin, M. Jones.
Full report to follow.