The Saints picked up three points this afternoon at Churchstoke FC in a close game which saw both keepers make several good saves.
The Saints started this game well and within the first few minutes Matt James was put through on goal, the Churchstoke keeper made an excellent save to deny the striker the opener. Five minutes later Jack Biggs was through but again the keeper saved, down the other end Tom Lewis made a great save to deny the home sides right winger after good link up play with the impressive Joe Haycock.
Although we edged possession early on and always seemed in control our defence had be on top of their game with the front two from Churchstoke looking lively on the counter. Both sides had efforts from outside the area but failed to hit the target on numerous occassions.
The goal came on 34 minutes, the ball wasn’t cleared properly after a Saints attack and fell kindly to new signing Ben Bevan. He ran at the Churchstoke defence and picked out Brendan Hackett with an inch perfect pass, Hackett went by the right back before hitting a shot across the keeper into the far right corner of the goal. 0-1.
The next ten minutes was even with both sides having half chances but the score remained the same. Ht 0-1.
The second half started with us on top and again we had half chances which their keeper either saved or we put wide. This looked like it was going to cost us because Churchstoke had a fifteen minute spell where they put us under a lot of pressure and Tom Lewis made two brilliant saves. Also Haycock was through on goal and was just about to pull the trigger when Jordan Baker made a perfectly timed tackle to deny the striker.
After weathering the storm we were back in control and again put pressure on their back four, another great save by their keeper denied new signing Nathan Collacott at the back post, he also saved from Matt James who was through one on one. The Saints ran the clock down in the last ten minutes to see out the game and claim the three points. Ft 0-1.
The Gaffer had to make numerous changes again from last week, also Tom James had to pull out on the morning of the game due to a sickness bug. The lads had to dig deep here, Churchstoke were up for this one and played well against us and in Joe Haycock have very good striker who was lively all game. Our defenders and keeper all had very good games, Rory, Steve, Jordan and Tom all had to be on top of their game, anyone who watches us knows we don’t do 1-0 games. My man of the match would go to Adam Finn who was outstanding from start to finish.
Team-
Tom Lewis, Rory Hackett(Nathan Collacott), Adam Finn, Jordan Baker, Stu Davies(c), Steve Goodwin, Ben Bevan(Will Goodwin), Chris Preece, Brendan Hackett, Jack Biggs, Matt James, Unused sub Gareth Jenkins.
