The Saints u16’s progressed to the league cup final after a 2-5 away win at Brecon Corries u16’s.
On a firm playing surface it was the Corries who started the brighter seeing a lot of the ball early doors but they never really troubled stand in keeper Luke Cohen.
In the 12th minute a counter attack by the Saints saw referee Joe Lewis award a penalty after a trip on full back Kiegan Powell. Captain Kyle Harding saw his effort saved but he was the first to pounce on the rebound and volley the ball past the Corries keeper for a 0-1 lead.
The lead lasted just 5 minutes, the Saints failed to clear the ball and striker Craig Williams fired a low shot past Cohen to make it 1-1.
In the 25th minute Lewis awarded another penalty when the home sides centre half handled in the area, this time Harding sent the keeper the wrong way to put the Saints 1-2 up. The rest of the half saw the Corries have a lot of possession but the Saints back four of Powell, Jarrett, Ambler and Lynes were rock solid throughout. Ht 1-2.
With the game getting heated on times, at half time manager Tiny Harding asked his players to stay calm and not get involved in any silliness.
The Saints started the second half much better and pegged the Corries team back, the third goal came in the 50th minute and what a goal it was. Harding beat two men out wide before unleashing a 35 yard effort which curled into the top corner for 1-3.
The lead was extended in the 56th minute, Ty Garrard played a ball into the path of central midfield partner Callum Maddy who hit a shot from 16 yards with his left foot which made it 1-4 to the Saints.
With time running out the Corries were awarded a free kick out wide, as it was pumped into the area someone shouted “Wait”, everyone stopped thinking it was the referee, Saints centre half Ricky Lynes caught the ball, at this point the ref pointed to the spot and showed Lynes a red card. A Corries midfielder scored from the spot to make it 2-4.
Even with ten men for a few minutes the Saints youngsters still were on top, the work rate of Lewis, Maddy, Barrell and Garrard in midfield was second to none.
In the final minute, the move of the game saw birthday boy Maddy send an inch perfect pass out wide to Harding, the winger crossed into the box to striker Matty Tong who slid in between the two big Corries centre halves to score. Ft 2-5.
This was a good win, two players had to drop out due to Powys rugby, the stand in keeper pulled out on the morning of the game, the Corries hadn’t lost at home all season so all credit to the players and manager.
Manager Tiny Harding was full of praise for his side, he said “This was a great win away at a big strong Corries side, the final in May is in Hay”.
The Saints will face either Newbridge or Llandrindod Wells.
Team –
Luke Cohen, Ricky Lynes, Jake Jarratt, Jack Ambler, Kiegan Powell, Connor Lewis, Ty Garrard, Kyle Harding(c), Callum Maddy, Andrew Barrell, Matty Tong.