The Saints lost 2-0 at Kerry FC this afternoon after dominating the first half. Tom James saw red in the second and it was all downhill from there.
The Saints started well on a very poor surface which i’m told was under water the day before. We controlled large parts of the first half, Kerry keeper Oliver Jones made two good saves from Brendan Hackett who was through in one on one situations.
Kevin Jones had a couple of efforts go wide, Rob McNamara also saw his snap shot saved by Jones in the Kerry goal. The home side were soaking up the pressure and pumping long balls into the corners looking for the Mumford brothers to use their pace.
Another good move down the right saw the ball crossed into the box and for once Jones was beaten but the shot came back off the post.
Kerry had two efforts from long range which went over the bar in the first half which we controlled but as the whistle blew for half time it was still 0-0.
We started the second half in similar vain but Kerry looked more dangerous on the break and Matt Mumford saw an effort go inches wide from the edge of the area. Jones made yet another good save in the 47th minute and Hackett headed just wide after a cross from Matt James on the right.
The game changed after 68 minutes when full back Tom James was shown a second yellow and given his marching orders by referee Chris Bodenham.
Just ten minutes later with Kerry now on top a free kick wasn’t cleared properly and the ball was crossed into the box for a Kerry player to score from close range.
Kerry were now putting us under pressure but we defended well with our ten men and in fact in the 90th minute Brendan Hackett ran into the box and shot but was then cleaned out for a stonewall penalty which the referee waved away.
In the 92nd minute Josh Davies was caught on the ball and Mumford scored to make it 2-0 at the final whistle.
We should of took our chances in the first half, saying that Jones had a stormer in goal for them. The sending off changed it, they are big strong side who are good at what they do and in the Mumford brothers have two match winners. The league title and promotion is now a 3 horse race after yesterdays results. We have 4 cup finals to play which won’t be easy with 3 of them away at sides in the top half of the table.
Team –
Tom Lewis, Tom James, Jordan Baker, Steve Goodwin, Josh Davies, Brendan Hackett, Matt James, Jack Biggs, Stu Davies(c), Kevin Jones(Tom Wilkes), Rob McNamara. Adam Finn, Will Goodwin.
Photos from Stu Townsend.