The Saints newly formed reserve side played their first friendly last night and came away with a deserved 3-2 win.
Jake Atkinson opened the scoring at the far post from a Michael Ward cross, John Daw opened play up for Ward to cross after beating two men down the left side. The match stayed 1-0 for 65 minutes until Presteigne equalised . The Saints went 2-1 ahead within two minutes of the restart after Ryan Stokes headed into his own net from a Graeme Keeble cross. This looked like the final score but with two minutes to go Presteigne equalised after a free kick was floated into the box and headed in past the stranded Ian Jones. The Saints went on the attack once again from the restart with Jamie Howard dribbling in the box and he hit an inch perfect cross for Jacko Thomas to head the winner in the last minute.
New reserve team manager Andrew Harris was delighted to get the first game out of the way and the win was a bonus. He picked out the four under 18 players for special praise, Steve Goodwin, Jake Atkinson, Johnny Daw and Tom Wilks.
It was good to see a lot of younger Hay boys playing for the senior Saints side and looking comfortable with the step up. My man of the match goes to Steve Goodwin who was outstanding on the night.