The Saints Reserves moved upto 2nd in the table after labouring to a 2-0 win over bottom side Lads Club Colts.
With the wind at their backs and playing down the slope The Saints dominated the first period but rarely troubled The Colts keeper early on, manager Andrew Harris changed the recent 4 4 2 formation to 3 5 2 and the players seemed to struggle to adapt attack wise, when the Colts tried to counter they were met with a solid wall of Stu Davies, Alec Winstone and Liam Pugh, it was Pugh who had a helping hand in the opening goal, he won the ball on the half way line after some dogged defending, a cross was met and taken down first time by Ollie Cooke and he smashed a left foot shot past the impressive Colts keeper. The Saints huffed and puffed through the rest of the half but didn’t look like the side that had won their last 3 games comfortable. ht 1-0.
After the half time team talk the sides lined up 4 4 2 for the start of the 2nd period with Garry Keeble coming on to replace last weeks hat trick hero Johnny Dawe. The Saints were playing into the wind but controlled the 2nd period with Ben Walsh causing problems down the left, Graeme Keeble did head the ball into the net but it was ruled out for offside. Michael Ward who was in goal saved well with his legs with the score 1-0 after not having a lot to do all afternoon, The Saints finally put the game to bed when Walsh again caused havoc down the left and the resulting cross found Will Goodwin who shot from 10 yards to make it 2-0. ft 2-0.
Another 3 points for The Reserves but not the best of performances but a win is a win. I thought Liam Pugh had another good game and gets my man of the match.
Team- M.Ward, S.Davies, A.Winstone, L.Pugh, B.Walsh, G.B.Keeble, C.Ward(C.Bounds), T.Wilkes, J.Dawe(G.Keeble), W.Goodwin(J.Thomas), O.Cooke. unused sub T.Johnson.