The Saints beat league leaders Carno FC 3-4 away with goals from Stu Davies, Kevin Jones and Steve Morgan(2).
We started strong and pushed the hosts back deep into their own half, Jack Biggs and Steve Morgan had early chances but were foiled by Chris Brown in the Carno goal. A good move in the 8th minute saw captain Stu Davies through on goal, he could of released Rob McNamara on the right instead he shot from 22 yards and it flew into the bottom corner past the diving Brown. 0-1.
Biggs was then flattened in the area by keeper Brown when in on goal, the referee awarded a penalty, we thought it might of been a red instead a good telling off was the outcome. Brown then saved Biggs’ penalty to keep it 0-1, in fact he went on to make numerous saves throughout the half, two great saves from Mogsies shots are worth a mention.
Our defence kept the league leaders quiet in the first half, the only opportunity saw their dangerous number 7 in on goal in the 43rd minute but Tom Lewis kept him out with a good reaction save. Ht 0-1.
I feared the worst at half time, we were leading 0-1 but Carno had the slope in the second half which is a major advantage also we had just lost Chris Preece to a reoccurring calf muscle injury.
The hosts started getting on top and in the 56th minute it was 1-1 after a beaut of a long range effort found the net. In the 66th minute we were 2-1 down, a corner from the left hit Matt Croose in the face and ended up in the back of the net, there was nothing the big defender could do about it.
A good move through midfield saw the ball go out wide, the cross came in to Matt James who sent in a looping header but Brown again saved by tipping the effort over the bar.
A top drawer response by The Saints was to follow, firstly Kevin Jones hit a 25 yard lob over Brown, a minute later the hard working Morgan danced past a couple of defenders after Jones put him in on goal and shot past Brown for a 2-3 lead.
Five minutes later Morgan and Jones linked up well, Morgan again found the back of the net from 12 yards to make the score 2-4.
Jenkins had replaced the injured Biggs for Adi Lawford who was tormenting the Carno defence with his pace. Tom Lewis made a brilliant save tipping a shot around the corner that had goal wriiten all over it.
To their credit back came Carno, a great touch and first time shot saw the number 7 score frpm the edge of the area to make the score 3-4 with four minutes to go.
The Saints saw the game out for a well deserved 3 points. That’s three away wins on the bounce for Gareth Jenkin’s men.
A good team performance, we should of gone in at the break at least two up, when they came back to lead 2-1 I thought that’s it but we seem to have more steel this year and came back so strongly to win it. A hard decision for a man of the match, Matty kept their main man quiet, Biggs and Joey did well, I could on and on but I will go for Mogsie today, a threat throughout and bagged a brace. A special mention to Carno keeper Chris Brown who I thought was their man of the match making save after save especially in the first half.
Team –
Tom Lewis, Jordan Baker, Steve Goodwin, Matt Croose, Tom James, Chris Preece(Kevin Jones), Stu Davies(c), Matt James, Rob McNamara(Adi Lawford), Jack Biggs(Sam Bradley), Steve Morgan.
