The Saints won by 5 goals to 4 against Builth Wells yesterday in what turned out to be the most exciting game of the season so far.
The Saints were on top in the first half right from the kick off, playing a 4 4 2 formation for the first time this season. The first chance after 10 minutes fell to Kevin Jones his shot hitting the post and bouncing away to safety, Ben Bevan then cut the ball back for the advancing Sam Powell but he missed timed his shot with the goal at his mercy. Ben Bevan again went around his marker and his cross was met with a bullet of an header by striker Josh Wisniewski on 28 minutes to put the Saints 1-0 up. Builth rarely ventured into the Saints half but on one occasion that they did a long range effort hit the bar. In reality the Saints should of added to their lead but missed efforts by Jones, Wisniewski and Bevan kept Builth in with a shout until a wonder strike by Jones after 44 minutes put the Saints 2-0 up, Russ Jones took a quick throw in and striker Jones turned and hit a curling shot from 25 yards up into the top corner, that was his 20th league goal of the season so far. ht 0-2.
The first five minutes of the second half were simular to the first with the Saints in control of the ball, after this period the game changed dramatically. Builth broke and Daniel Walker just missed a diving header from a Willie Lindsey cross, Lindsey then hit a shot from an acute angle which Ian Jones saved brilliantly, back came Builth and on 55 minutes Walker hit a 20 yard dipping shot which beat Jones to make it 1-2. The Saints then should have gone 3-1 up when a Sam Mayglothling effort (who was having an excellent game in midfield) was cleared off the line with the goalkeeper well beaten. Kevin Jones held off his marker and slipped in strike partner Wisniewski who blasted a left foot shot past Hope in the Builth goal for his 20th league of season which made it 1-3 after 65 minutes. On 72 minutes Justin Powell made it 2-3 getting on the end of a free kick, a couple of minutes later it was 3-3 when Leigh Metcalfe blasted in after the ball was bouncing around the edge of the area after a corner. Back came the Saints and the hard working Phil Davies won a crunching tackle and released Bevan who cut in and finished well to make it 3-4 to the Saints after 77 minutes. Builth were awarded a penalty when Ian Jones brought down a Builth midfielder after 82 minutes, Jones made amends by saving with his feet and then punching the ball to safety. On 88 minutes Hope sliced a clearence towards the half way line and Bevan took it on his chest with his team mates and Saints supporters screaming “time time” luckily Bevan ignored all and hit the ball from at least 40 yards straight back over Hopes head into the top right corner of the net which made the score 3-5 with 2 minutes to go. Instead of dropping their heads Builth went up the field and replied immediately with Powell volleying in an outstanding goal to make it 4-5. There was even time for one more attack from both sides but the final whistle went to the relief of the Saints players and supporters. ft 4-5.
This was a game not for the weak hearted because it was end to end in the second half and could of gone either way. Builth officials thought they deserved at least a point, which perhaps they did for effort but I think over the 90 we deserved the win for totally out playing them in the first half when we should of gone in at the break more than 2 -0 up. We seem to panic at the moment when put under pressure as a team and seem to argue amongst ourselves when things are not going our way. The man of the match award is a hard one, Ian made a couple of crucial saves the front boys done the business again but I thought Sam Mayglothling was outstanding until taken off with 15 to go. Justin Powell and Willie Lindsey were Builth’s best players.
Team- I.Jones, J.Davies(R.Snedden), C.Preece(c), M.Havard, P.Davies, B.Bevan, S.Powell(J.Mayglothling), S.Mayglothling(J.Daw), R.Jones, K.Jones, J.Wisniewski.