The Saints beat Talgarth Town 1-3 this afternoon with goals from Jack Biggs(2) and Brendan Hackett.
The conditions played a big part in this with the wind blowing down the slope in the first half the Saints knew it would be tough playing into it.
The first half possession wise was fairly even but it was the Saints who had the better chances but found the Talgarth keeper in top form, he saved well from Jack Biggs, Rob McNamara and made a brave save from Kevin Jones in a one on one situation. Talgarth’s Lee Brookes saw his header go over the bar at the back post, a free kick from 22 yards was also put high over the bar.
We caused numerous problems from corners with our hight advantage, Chris Preece and Biggs both going close but to no avail. Ht 0-0.
With the wind behind us and the slope we put the home side under pressure from the start of the second half but again their keeper kept them in the game. In the 52nd minute Talgarth counter attacked Tom Lewis saved the first attempt and the ball was cleared by Josh Davies only for Adi Lawford to volley it in from 20 yards to give the home side a 1-0 lead.
More Saints pressure followed and our first goal finally came in the 61st minute, Brendan Hackett was released down the left by captain Stu Davies, Hackett crossed into the box, Jack Biggs took it on the chest and did a bicycle kick which flew past the keeper for 1-1.
We piled on the pressure and seemed to have corner after corner tipped away, kicked off the line, headed away by a resolute Talgarth defence. The breakthrough came when we were awarded a free kick 25 yards out, whilst we all waited for Kevin Jones to take it Brendan Hackett curled it into the top corner to make it 1-2.
The final goal came on 79 minutes and i’m told by one of our supporters it was our 17th corner, Hackett crossed and Biggs headed in from close range to make it 1-3. To Talgarth’s credit they didn’t drop their heads and on another counter attack after some sloppy play by us they skimmed the bar with a far post effort. Ft 1-3.
We didn’t play great first half, saying that we had a fair few chances, we dominated the second half and deserved the three points against a very young Talgarth side.
Adam Finn and Chris Preece stood out for the gaffer, for me it was Stu Davies and Brendan Hackett, one thing we agreed on was the performance of two goal Jack Biggs.
Team- Tom Lewis, Sam Bradley(Rory Hackett), Josh Davies, Adam Finn, Tom James(Stu Snedden), Jack Biggs, Stu Davies(c), Chris Preece, Rob McNamara(Wilf Ratcliffe), Brendan Hackett, Kevin Jones.
Josh Davies and Sam Bradley.
Kevin Jones.
Chris Preece, Jack Biggs and Sam Bradley.
Brendan Hackett.
Talgarth free kick.
Tom Lewis.
Hackett putting the Saints 1-2 up.
Macca.
Talgarth Away.