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Saints Reserves 1-2 Brecon FC

Tiny Harding started life as Reserves manager with a 2-1 defeat against newly formed Brecon FC at Forest Road last night. Nathan Callacott scored in either half to give the visitors the advantage, before a late Kevin Goodwin shot gave Hay hope but they couldn’t fight back for the point.

Brecon went in front in the opening ten minutes when good work down the right-hand side allowed their winger to fire a low cross across the six yard box which was finished from close-range past the helpless Tom Bevan. Hay grew into the game after a nervy start and Darren Horrigan’s clever right-foot shot from 20 yards was pushed around the post. At the other end, Bevan made an excellent close-range save to deny a header from Brecon’s towering centre-half, and the ‘keeper was called into action towards the end of the half, scurrying out of his box to get a touch on the ball, diverting it over after the away striker had broken free from his marker.

The energetic midfield duo of Andrew Gilbert and Harry Gilbert both had snapshots in the second-half, which were off target, whilst Jack Cripps was causing problems on the left-wing, linking up with Horrigan who was peeling away from the centre-halves. Brecon however were defending well, and causing trouble on the break. Callacott saw his first-time effort excellently saved by Bevan, before somehow skying the follow-up from six yards with the goal gaping. The striker wasn’t to be denied with ten minutes to go as he beat Bevan to the ball, and cleverly finished from an acute angle, with two covering defenders unable to make the block. The Saints pushed men forward, with youngsters Kyle Harding and Will Workman introduced to offer some fresh impetus. The consolation goal came with four minutes remaining; Dan Scaife’s sideway pass found Goodwin on the right-hand side; he cut inside his man and fired a left-foot shot into the corner from 25 yards with the ‘keeper helpless. The Saints rallied for the final moments and carried on pressing forward, but Brecon should have added a third and final goal on the break; Callacot again missed a guilt edge chance putting a right-foot shot past the far post that would have seen him complete his hattrick.

A tough first-game of the season for the Reserves, against a fired up and competitive Brecon FC outfit. Chances were few and far between for the home side but there was a good work-rate on the evening. Man of the match was H. Gilbert, who ran his socks off in the middle of the park, providing defensive cover and an attacking threat when the chance presented itself to venture forward. Once again, there is no Saturday fixture but there is another game under the floodlights on Tuesday 25th August, when Presteigne Reserves are the visitors.

Manager Harding spoke to the solitary press officer at the game, and gave his thoughts.

“On our first outing as a newly formed team, and relatively young side, the lads put a real shift in against one of the contenders to win the league.

“We can only learn from experience and kick on. As the game went on our fitness showed.

“Kev Goodwin scored an excellent goal; that would have been worth the entry fee alone.

“All in all happy with the performance and looking to build on this when we welcome Presteinge next Tuesday”

Reserves: Bevan, H. Ratcliffe, Jones, Rees, Powell, Harding, H. Gilbert, A. Gilbert, Cripps, Goodwin, Horrigan.

Subs: Workman, Lewis, Lines, Scaife, W. Ratcliffe.

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