After showing some promise in the first half Saints reserves fell away again in a difficult second half eventually losing 5-1.
Holme Lacey went ahead after 10 minutes when a mistake in defence between Josh Davies and Stephen Jenkins let the away striker in to score from an acute angle. Tom Wilkes then equalised after around 20 minutes after good work from Jacko Thomas and a good final ball from Will Goodwin. Before this Graeme Keeble had made two very good last ditch challenges in the goal area to keep the Saints in the game.
Chances then fell to Thomas who had is effort saved by Glen Day in the away goal and, Stu Davies who had is header from a Garry Keeble corner cleared off the line at the far post.
Hay went to sleep again 10 minutes from the half time break when a corner was flicked on at the near post and the away player was on his own 5 yards out to head past Davies. This made the half time score 1-2.
The second half started badly for the Saints with them quickly losing another 2 goals from some poor defending. To be fair they picked themselves up again and showed flashes of what they can do when they go forward. Chances fell to Ollie Cooke, Wilkes and Jenkins who were unable to finish. Ben Walshe was unlucky with an 18 yard shot that flashed across goal.
Holme Lacey looked a classy side in the 2nd half though and the Saints were lucky not to concede again when Davies saved a penalty after Keeble Jnr bought an away player down in the box. This did not stop the away side from scoring a 5th though to run out deserved winners after creating other good chances.
Once again we gave away poor goals defensively where the away centre forward troubled us with his pace all game. Garry Keeble was outstanding in the centre of midfield in the first half but we looked short of numbers in midfield all game.Up front both Thomas and Goodwin did well when they had good service against bigger and stronger opponents.
It is still work in progress however, the young players are gaining experience all the time. It is also difficult for AH as he cannot seem to get a settled side playing which doesn’t help.Holme Lacey were a very good side and I would say the best side I have seen the Reserves play this season. I don’t think they will be too far away come the end of the season.
Team; Josh Davies,Alex Howard,Stu Davies,Stephen Jenkins,Graeme Keeble(Chris Bouinds),Ollie Cooke,Jamie Howard(Ben Walshe),Garry Keeble,Tom Wilkes,Jacko Thomas(Liam Pugh),Will Goodwin