The Saints put in their worst performance of the season and in doing so are out of The JD Welsh Cup after losing 2-1 away to Bow Street FC.
Goalscorer Rob McNamara.
We played with the wind in the first half and dominated possession, however, once we got into the last third the Bow Street defence were on top. The home side played counter attacking football using their pacey wingers to run at our full backs. After a lot of Saints pressure a quick ball over the top to their left winger saw him sprint away and get clipped by Sam Bradley. The referee pointed to the spot, I thought it should of been red as he was last man but no card was shown,.(I’m told by our players it was outside the box).The penalty was put dispatched giving stand in keeper Tom Bevan no chance.
The rest of the half we tried to break down the stubborn “Street” defence with Brendan Hackett, Ryan Davies and Matty James probbing but only had a Jack Biggs snap shot which flew well over the bar to our name by the end of the first half.
Bow Street were now in the ascendancy with the strong wind at their backs and they really should of had another penalty on the hour. If we felt the first was harsh there would of been no complaints with the second after Sam Bradley flattened their striker, luckily for us nothing was given.
Tom Bevan tipped a goal bound effort around the post in what must of been the first save by either keeper on 70 minutes. The game came to life in the last 15 minutes, “Street” hit the bar on 76th then the lad who scored the pen beat two of our players and scored a wonderful individual goal placing the ball past Bevan in the 78th minute to make it 2-0.
The in form Rob McNamara came off the bench and immediately put the ball in the back of the net, it was flagged for offside again our lads were adamant he was well on. The tall striker then hit the bar after Davies crossed the ball in from the left, he also saw a header go inches wide from a Hackett cross. He finally got his goal in the 92nd minute but as soon as the home side kicked off the whistle went for full time 2-1.
No complaints from us we just weren’t at the races, “Big Phil” got his tactics spot on today and they deserved the win. I felt our front three were too far apart in difficult conditions and also we were a bit flat at the back against that sort of pace. To be fair we have played well all season so the boys are allowed the odd off day, just not too many I hope.
My man of the match would go to Steve Goodwin.
Team –
Tom Bevan, Sam Bradley(Jack Cripps), Jordan Baker,Tom James, Steve Goodwin, Stu Davies(c)(Will Goodwin)Ryan Davies, Brendan Hackett, Jack Biggs, Adi Lawford(Rob McNamara), Matt James
