Arrowsmith inspires Reserves to victory – ⚽ Hay St Marys FC ⚽

David Arrowsmith picked up his first three points as Reserves manager, relieving some of the pressure on his position following a difficult run of results. A second-half goal from Ben Bevan was enough to seal the victory at Carno Reserves, on a warm but windy April afternoon.

Dai Arrowsmith.

With injuries depleting the options for Arrowsmith, regular Dan Jones, Jamie Howard and Dave Jones were missing with a number of younger players coming into the fray.

The Saints started well and were soon creating early chances; Harry Gilbert lifted a 25 yard shot over the bar whilst Kevin Goodwin fired straight at the ‘keeper with a half-volley, having turned in the box. A further chance followed for Goodwin when a deep cross from the right by Callum Maddy was left by Tom Wilkes, and Goodwin controlled before smashing a shot which hit the underside of the bar before it was eventually cleared.

Goodwin hits the bar

At the other end, Tom Bevan was largely untroubled with a couple of snapshots and long-range efforts failing to hit the target. Hay continued to press for the opener and it was the twinkle toes of Wilkes that was causing the most problems; he cut in from the left and curled a strike just past the far post from 20 yards. With a couple of minutes to spare before the half-time whistle, Hay had another golden opportunity to go in front. The ball was loose in the box and was eventually picked up by Gilbert, who powered a half-volley goalwards which the goalkeeper showed good reflexes to parry away from danger.

Having had so many chances to break the deadlock, it wouldn’t have been a surprise to see heads fall and for Carno to press on but instead, the Saints continued to probe in the second-period. Wilkes again was the danger man, flashing a left-foot shot across goal having drifted inside his man. The industrious running of both Maddy and Wilf Ratcliffe were causing problems for the Carno defence all afternoon, and a number of crosses were inches away from being tucked in. With twenty minutes remaining, the Saints were beginning to think it wasn’t their day, but B. Bevan popped up with the decisive goal. The Carno midfielder was dispossessed by Goodwin, who turned and headed towards goal; with options right and left, he picked out Bevan, who controlled with his right before a familiar left-foot strike into the bottom near corner.

Bevan celebrates his goal

Carno had a couple of half chances to equalise with a long-range shot easily held by T. Bevan, and a corner from the left cleared off the line by Wilkes. In the final moment, B. Bevan bust a gut to run 60 yards down the pitch and loop a left foot shot goalwards; the ball broke to Maddy, who flashed an effort back across goal and just out of the reach of B. Bevan.

It was an enjoyable and encouraging performance from the Saints’ Reserves. Arrowsmith has had his resources stretched in his short tether but today was testimony to himself, and his group of players. It was a hard-working display, with some real glimpses of quality in the final third from the attacking four, backed up by the experience of B. Bevan. Gilbert and Ratcliffe worked tirelessly in the central midfield positions, whilst Dan Scaife, Steve Jones and Stu Rees were impeccable at the back, ensuring Carno hardly had a sniff. T. Bevan had little to do, but what he did do, he did well, obviously taking tips after his rendezvous with David De Gea in mid-week. Final game of the season next weekend is a trip to champions Radnor Valley; with no pressure on, perhaps the Reserves can cause a real shock and finish the season on a major high.

Reserves: T. Bevan, Scaife, Jones, Rees, Gilbert, B. Bevan, H. Ratcliffe, Maddy, Wilkes, W. Ratcliffe, Goodwin.

Subs: Pugh, Caldicutt, Edwards.