The Saints picked up 3 more points on the road with a 2-6 win at Dyffrn Banw FC.
Goal scorers were Matt James, Brendan Hackett(2), Rob McNamara and Jack Biggs.
The Gaffer asked his players for a better start this week and they took heed because Matt James put us 0-1 up in the 2nd minute after Jack Biggs cut the ball back from the byline.
After this we piled on the pressure but found the Banw number 1 in inspired form, he made two great saves from Rob McNamara and another from Jack Biggs.
Banw were awarded a free kick in the 20th minute out wide and from the resulting cross an unmarked player headed past stand in keeper Josh Davies for 1-1.
The home side didn’t give the Saints a second on the ball, it was similar to the home game with their work rate and pressing. Banw didn’t cause us a lot of problems going forward they seemed happy to get men behind the ball and play on the counter.
In the 25th minute a ball was crossed into the box which looked like a routine catch for our keeper but one of players jumped with him and in the confusion the ball was spilled, a Banw player rolled the ball into an empty net for a 2-1 lead against the run of play.
The game became scrappy in the lead up to half time, a bizarre incident on the stroke of half time saw us get the equaliser. After a goal mouth scramble a Banw defender went to clear the ball, however, when he put his foot through it, it hit the referee straight in the face, knocking him to the ground, the ball bounced back into the path of Rob Snedden who hammered it home from ten yards for 2-2. The Banw players complained to the referee but he explained the rules and correctly awarded the goal. Ht 2-2.
At half time our manager told his players to quicken up their play, he thought we were too casual in knocking the ball around.
Once again they must have listened because after several quick passes McNamara put us 2-3 up in the 47th minute. After the goal we dominated and piled on the pressure but again gound Banw’s keeper in top form, it took another unusual goal to make it 2-4, a Hackett corner to the near post was helped over the line by the impressive Banw number 1.
The next goal was the best of the day, Jack Biggs won the ball in midfield, dribbled past a couple of players before passing to Snedden on the wing, the winger crossed to the back post to Matt James who cushion headed the ball down to the oncoming Hackett who scored from 8 yards. 2-5.
We were awarded a penalty in the 88th minute when a home defender handled on the line, Biggs stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to make the final score 2-6.
Banw is a tough place to go, they are a big strong side and stopped us playing for an hour, however, we felt they would tire like they did at ours. Overall the Gaffer was happy with three points and performance, we need keep this run going,however, we have a stern test next week when Knighton come to town.
Man of the match yesterday was Steve Goodwin who was excellent from start to finish.
A big thank you to Josh Davies who stepped into the number 1 hot seat as Tom Lewis became ill just before the game.
Team –
Josh Davies, Tom James, Jordan Baker, Stu Davies(c), Steve Goodwin, Brendan Hackett, Rob Snedden(Adi Lawford), Chris Preece, Jack Biggs, Rob McNamara(Kevin Jones), Matt James.
