The Saints lost 3-2 away at Waterloo Rovers FC this afternoon in the league.
Goalscorers were Rob Snedden and Steve Morgan.
The Saints played into the wind in the first half in what was a cagey opening thirty minutes, neither side created a lot. The opening goal coming in the 35th minute, Rob Snedden whipped a free kick in from out wide on the left, the ball was missed by everyone including the keeper. 0-1.
Within two minutes it was 1-1, Steve Goodwin should of put his foot through the ball after winning a tackle in the right back position, instead he tried playing out from the back and the ball was intercepted, it was then hit long towards the edge of the box where Matt Croose was penalised for a push in the back. The referee awarded a free kick on the edge of the area when in reality it should of been a penalty, it made no difference as it was smashed past the static Lewis for the equaliser.
Just one minute later from another Waterloo attack captain Jordan Baker gave away a penalty when he clipped the striker who was running away from goal. This was duly dispatched to put the home side 2-1 up going in at the break.
The Saints had the wind in the second half and went on the attack right from kick off which was foiled and a ball over the top from Waterloo in the 46th minute caught the defence out who were playing too flat, the striker finishing well from 12 yards out for 3-1.
The rest of the half saw us dominate possession but we couldn’t find a way past the home keeper who made several good saves from Rob McNamara,Rob Snedden and Steve Morgan.
Steve Morgan pulled the score back to 3-2 with a good finish out wide after a good ball from Matt James. We had a chance to equalise when 16 year old Matty Tong put in Brendan Hackett who in turn passed to McNamara but again the keeper saved.
In a mad last two minutes Waterloo could of scored twice with the Saints having ten players up the other end of the field but Lewis saved well on two occasions to keep them out. Ft 3-2.
We probably had 70% possession in the game but Waterloo always looked dangerous on the break and punished us when they did. I think sometimes we need to just clear our lines instead of always trying to play out from the back.
The commitment hasn’t been great this season, not once has the Gaffer had to leave people out, he always seems to have 5 or 6 unavailable.
I thought Matt James was excellent when he came on yesterday and he really shouldn’t of with his injury, Matty Tong did well on debut for a youngster so the future looks bright after Kyle Harding also did well last week. My man of the match for yesterday would be Rob Snedden.
Team –
Tom Lewis, Rory Hackett(Matt James), Jordan Baker(c), Matt Croose(Matty Tong), Will Goodwin, Steve Goodwin, Tom James, Brendan Hackett, Steve Morgan, Rob Snedden, Rob McNamara.
