LLANDRINDOD WELLS 0-3 SAINTS
The Saints won the toss, decided to go up the slope first half and expected to be up against heavy pressure from “Dod”. Both sides were playing some neat and tidy football, with Hay having a lot of possession and Llandod counter attacking down the flanks. Robbie Nicholls was the main threat for the home side and he had a few crosses from the left wing which were dealt with by Hay keeper Steve Jones. The midfield five for Hay worked tirelessly and controlled most of the possession, the back four in Jordan Baker, Tom James, Matt Croose and Steve Goodwin where dealing with everything thrown at them. As the first half progressed Hay grew more confident and got more on top. Ryan Davies playing as a lone striker was running at the defence, causing a lot of problems and creating a few good chances but the home side always managed to clear their lines. H-t 0-0
With the Saints going down the slope second half they tried to put some extra pressure on the home side but they were a tough nut to crack. The break through finally came on 60 mins when a cross from Rob Snedden wasn’t dealt with by the defence and Brendan Hackett’s header towards goal deflected off a defender past the stranded Joe Prosser in the Llandod goal. 0-1.
Hay’s defence was looking strong throughout, Steve Goodwin was doing a superb job against Ritchie Powell but Llandod almost equalised from a 25 yard rocket that just went over the top corner of the bar. Both sides were creating half chances but a superb 25 yard free kick from Snedden made it 0-2 to the Saints with 15 mins to play. The home side had a short spell of pressure but the Hay back line was in fine form. As the game was nearing the end Jack Biggs made it 0-3 when he collected the ball on the counter attack and his shot deflected off the unlucky defender which in turn wrong footed the keeper. Full time 0-3
Two of Saturday’s goal scorers Hackett and Biggs.
It was a solid team performance in which we had a lot of possession and limited them to few efforts on goal. The back four where superb and Steve Jones did everything needed in goal and didn’t look in much danger of conceding. Matt James had another solid game in holding midfield and broke down a lot of play. The work rate of Davies up top and the Saints midfielder’s was excellent and definitely contributed to the clean sheet.
Team – Steve Jones, Tom James, Jordan Baker (Jake Atkinson), Matt Croose, Steve Goodwin, Matt James, Steve Morgan (Will Goodwin), Rob Snedden, Jack Biggs, Brendan Hackett, Ryan Davies (Stu Davies).