The Saints are through to the next round of the league cup after winning 2-1 against higher graded Llansantffraid Village FC.
We have been drawn away to Knighton Town FC in the next round, the game will be played on January 31st.
Goalscorers were Jack Biggs and Rob McNamara.
Saints manager Gareth Jenkins’ changed his system and some personal after two defeats, he went for a more physical midfield employing Chris Preece, Steve Goodwin and Jack Biggs as his central three. This worked from the off as we controlled the centre of the park but in truth not a lot was created early on.
Llansantffraid did break on a couple of occasions and on one of those their number 11 could of done better but his snap shot flew over the bar from 12 yards out. Up the other end Jack Biggs was causing problems with his runs into the box but we just couldn’t find that opening to give us the lead. Ht 0-0.
In the first minute of the second half we went ahead and it was probably the best goal scored at Forest Road this season, a ball was played into the box to Rob McNamara from Brendan Hackett, the big striker laid it off first time to Jack Biggs who then hit a half volley with the outside of his boot, the shot flew into the top right corner of the goal. 1-0
Brendan Hackett and Matt James were causing the visitors problems all game and it was Hackett who created the next goal on 62 minutes, he jinked past his marker before cutting it back to McNamara who scored from 8 yards to make it 2-0.
The visitors pulled a goal back in the 80th minute after Tom Lewis made a good save from a header but the ball fell into the path of a Llansantffraid midfielder who fired home for 2-1.
The away side did have a couple of half chances but Finn and Baker with full backs James and Davies were in control at the back throughout. Number 4 for Llansantffraid was shown a red card after receiving his second yellow for a bad challenge on Rob Snedden. The Saints created a couple of late chances but it wasn’t to be,the referee blew up for full time with the score 2-1.
A much more solid looking display, we looked in control of the game throughout.
A big thank you to match sponsor Courtney Metcalfe who after the game chose Jack Biggs has sponsors man of the match.
Team –
Tom Lewis, Tom James, Jordan Baker(c), Adam Finn, Josh Davies, Chris Preece(Adi Lawford)), Steve Goodwin(Rob Snedden)(Steve Jones), Matt James, Brendan Hackett, Jack Biggs, Rob McNamara
Photos by Stu Townsend.
Match report to follow.