The Sunday Saints edged closer to promotion with a 2-5 win this morning at Belmont Wanders FC.
Match report to follow.
Adam Finn netted a brace.
The Sunday Saints are on the brink of promotion after a 5-2 victory over Belmont on Sunday morning. Aaron Gilligan netted a brace, Ben Bevan was on the score sheet and Adam Finn also netted a double.
The Saints started brightly and despite the small pitch and horrible weather conditions they played some decent football and were quickly 1-0 up after the un-marked Aaron Gilligan finished well from 8 yards, it was quickly two, a Steve Goodwin long throw was met by Ben Bevan, who’s glancing header floated into the inside netting. A third followed soon after, Adam Finn arrived late into the box and picked up a rebound to smash the Saints into a commanding lead.
The scoreline at this point didn’t flatter the Saints as they they dominated all over the pitch, 5 minutes before half time Belmont found a way back into the game, The hosts number 8 picked the ball up 20 yards out and tried his luck, it looked as though Saints keeper Josh Davies was set for a routine save but unfortunately the shot took two wicked deflections which wrong footed Davies. HT 1-3
Gareth Jenkins praised his sides opening half an hour but was critical of the way the half ended and urged his team to not to be complacent. The start of the 2nd half was a disaster for the Saints, the defence blipped for the first time all game and made a mess of a cross into the box and the striker finished from a few yards out. 2-3. Jenkins was fuming with his players and demanded more, the Saints however did respond almost immediately Gilligan again found himself unmarked in the box and as cool as you like finished with his left foot into the corner. 2-4.
The Saints were solid from this point on and could have added a couple more, Goodwin, Prendergast & Bevan all having opportunities in front of goal. Belmont had a couple of chances of their own, the big striker smashed the crossbar from 25 yards and the Saints defence made a couple of last ditch tackles. The Game was put beyond doubt about 5 minutes from time, Adam Finn picked the ball up about 20 yards out and drilled it iinto the bottom left hand corner with the keeper routed to the spot.Ft 2-5.
An important win which was made a bit harder than it should have been seeing as we were cruising at 3-0 after 25 minutes. The win leaves the Saints with 1 or 2 points needed from their 3 remaining games (maths still to be checked) to clinch promotion, hopefully it will come next week when we travel to 3rd place Cosmos.
Gareth Jenkins thought it was a good win against a young hard working Belmont side. Both teams tried to play some decent football, All of our players put in a good shift after last weeks below par performance. It was good to see Aaron get his first Saints goals, Jake Atkinson was very solid at the back but Adam Finn had a superb game in the middle and gets Man Of The Match.