Knighton Town won today’s game at Forest Road 2-4. The Saints led 2-1 at half time but a strong second half performance from the visitors saw them take all three points.
The opening exchanges saw a cagey start by both teams, Knighton saw more of the ball and went ahead in the 16th minute, Adie Jones finishing at the back post after the ball was fired across the box 0-1. Just 2 minutes later it was 1-1, Chris Preece drove into the area and shot, the rebound fell to Brendan Hackett who prodded it past Dave Exhall, the ball was kicked away but the referee rightly awarded the goal. 1-1.
On the stroke of half time Kevin Jones out muscled a Knighton defender on the half way line and sprinted away before finishing low past a diving Exhall. Ht 2-1.
Within five minutes of the restart we were 2-3 down, first Adam Warton made it 2-2 with a low shot from inside the area then a free kick was awarded just outside about 25 yards out, Mark Jones’ effort flew straight in to give the visitors the lead. Knighton were awarded a controversial penalty on the hour mark, Saints keeper Tom Lewis came out and won the ball clearly but caught Sam Williams with the follow through according to the referee. Everyone was shocked with the decision, even the Knighton bench couldnt’t believe it. Williams stepped up and smashed into the top right corner giving Lewis no chance, Lewis was then booked for his protests to the original decision. 2-4.
We tried to break Knighton down but to their credit they stood firm happy to sit back on their lead, we had a couple of chances, Exhall saved well from a Phil Davies header then Preece went close with another header, in the final minute Jack Biggs was tripped for what looked a blatant penlty but it wasn’t to be. Ft 2-4.
I’m not going to use the referee as an excuse because on the day the better team won, we just didn’t get going but maybe that’s because Knighton didn’t let us. We missed the energy levels of our captain Stu Davies who had to pull out just before kick off due to work.
We could still have a big say in who gets runners up with Machynlleth away still to come.
Team- Tom Lewis, Rory Hackett(Stu Snedden), Tom James, Adam Finn, Sam Bradley, Phil Davies, Chris Preece, Rob Macnamara, Brendan Hackett, Jack Biggs, Kevin Jones. Unused Subs Gareth Jenkins, Wilf Ratcliffe.
Chris Preece.
Tom Lewis.
Preecy and Sam Williams.
Knighton Home 2014.
Adam Finn and Sam Bradley keep an eye on Sam Williams.