The Saints drew 4-4 with Penryncoch FC in a pulsating end to end game. Jack Biggs thought he had won it for the Saints with a header from a Steve Morgan cross in the 92nd minute. but the visitors drew level in the 96th minute with a beaut of a free kick from Dylan James.
The opening 20 minutes was a cagey affair, The Saints just shading proceedings, winger Ryan Davies was causing Penrhyn all sorts of problems on the left. In the 20th minute Brendan Hackett whipped in a corner whch Jack Biggs met with a thumping header to put the hosts 1-0 up.
Penrhyn then took control for the rest of the half, they closed down our midfielders very well with their pressing game. It took some last ditch tackling by James, Croose, Baker and Goodwin to keep them out. The equaliser came in the 38th minute, a long punt from keeper Leigh Jenkins was missed by The Saints defence, Jonathon Evans latched onto the kick and rounded Tom Lewis for 1-1.
Matt James, Jack Biggs and capatin Stu Davies had to be at their very best against the strongest midfield we have come up against to date.
Ht 1-1.
A nightmare start for The Saints saw the visitors go 1-2 in the first minute of the second half, Evans again the scorer firing a low shot past the diving Lewis.
On 55 minutes striker Rob McNamara made it 2-2 scoring from an acute angle out wide on the left.
The Roosters regained the lead in the 62nd minute, Nathan Warren cutting in after a good pass by Evans, the former Borth player scored from 10 yards out. 2-3.
In the 71st minute Macca scored his second, after a succession of corners Penrhyn failed to clear their lines and the tall striker was on hand to fire home from 8 yards out. 3-3.
Up the other end with the clock ticking towards 90 minutes, Mattie Davies saw Lewis save his shot then the impressive Evans saw his effort come back off the post.
With 90 now up on the clock, winger Adi Lawford saw his effort come back off the bar, then two minutes later The Saints thought they had won it. Steve Morgan beat the left back after being put in by Jack Cripps and then crossed into the box where Biggs again was on hand to head past Jenkins.
The referee had told our players there was 4 minutes injury time, however, in the 96th minute he awarded the visitors a free kick 20 yards out. Dylan James hit a curling shot which gave Lewis no chance.
Final score 4-4.
The match ended all square and on the balance of play over 90 plus minutes you couldn’t argue with the result. Penrhyncoch were well worthy of a point, they were by far the best team we have played to date. I thought we matched them and gave as good as we got, we have started the season well for a promoted club.
I spoke with The Gaffer after and although he was disappointed not to win when you are 4-3 up in the 96th minute he too thought a draw was a fair reflection on the balance of play. He chose Macca as man of the match for his two goals and more importantly his work rate off the ball.
An enjoyable day on and off the pitch in front of our biggest crowd of the season.
Team –
Tom Lewis, Jordan Baker, Matt Croose, Steve Goodwin, Tom James(Jack Cripps), Stu Davies(c), Matt James(Adi Lawford), Jack Biggs, Rob McNamara, Ryan Davies(Steve Morgan), Brendan Hackett.
Goalscorers Jack Biggs(2), Rob McNamara(2).
League Secretary Phil Woosnam was among the large crowd.
Some of our u16’s not wanting to miss a thing!!!
