The Sunday Saints lost a close match 2-1 to Toros FC.
Due to injuries the Saints had to make 8 enforced changes for the trip to Belmont Abbey home of Toros FC,however, there were positive changes with the inclusion of experienced defenders Liam Pugh, Steven Jones, veteran goalkeeper Dai Arrowsmith and the addition of promising youngster Conner Lewis who was making his debut from the under 16 squad.
The game started well with both sides settling early, it was quite even until the referee awarded a free kick just outside the box after a block tackle on a Toros midfielder. Up stepped Jon Money for Toros who curled the ball into the left hand side of the goal giving Saints keeper Arrowsmith no chance.
The visitors heads didn’t drop after the early set back, Dan Scaife & ex Toros player Nathan Heighway combined well down the wing, from a Heighway cross Darren Horrigan put his effort just wide. Striker Heighway also went close with an effort but again it went inches wide.
After the break the Saints continued to work hard through Joe Emmitt who ran his socks off in the middle of the park. Top goal scorer Craig Forsyth saw the keeper off his line, his lobbed effort went inches over the bar. The Saints hard work eventually paid off when a Horrigan free kick was spilled by Toros keeper McCormick and player/manager Gareth Ratcliffe smashed home the ball against his former club to bring the scores level.1-1.
16 year old Conner Lewis made his debut and impressed with a confident performance. A draw seemed on the cards until a shot hit Steve Jones on the shoulder ( clearly not a penalty) but referee Dave Jones decided on awarding a penalty much to the protest of the Hay players. Sam King stepped up for Toros and placed the ball calmly into the bottom corner past Arrowsmith in the visitors goal.
The Saints continued to press hard for an equalizer by pressurising the Toros goal but all was in vain as Toros held on for the win.Ft 2-1
A really good all round performance by the Sunday Saints with Jones, the Pugh brothers and Scaife all solid at the back. Both the Toros goals came from set pieces, the defence looked organised throughout, a lot of positives can be taken from this defeat.