Hay Saint Marys Football Club will play in The Central Wales Cup Final for the first time in their history after beating Cymru Alliance side Penrhyncoch 2-1 in The Semi-Final tonight.
The Saints started the game very nervous with their higher graded opponents taking charge early doors but they came up against a determined back line of Preece, Havard,R. Jones and Williams who protected keeper I.Jones from having to make a save in the first 20 minutes, the first shot they managed from distance hit the bar and bounced down into the arms of The Saints keeper. The Saints then started to play some good football and took control of the game with Rob Snedden switching play with quality cross field passes sending Ben Bevan down the left wing on several occasions forcing corners, from one such corner Gavin Williams got a shot in but was just wide. Penrhyn were quick to close down the space so the Saints were struggling to get any shots in on goal, Penrhyn broke near half time and were awarded a corner, a quick corner was taken with Jones going on a mazy run into the box, Snedden caught him late but to his credit he stayed on his feet and hit a shot which Jones had to be at full stretch to tip around the post. ht 0-0.
The Saints came out the second half and upped the tempo getting on top of their opponents, Sam Mayglothling and Sam Powell were now doing the quick closing down and winning the 50/50 challenges, Kevin Jones was giving their centre backs a torrid time out muscling them, on 53 minutes he held the ball up and laid it off to strike partner Josh Wisniewski who hit a well struck shot which was just wide, Sam Powell then won the ball in the centre circle and burst through but Morgan in the Penrhyn goal came flying out and tackled him and ball was cleared to safety. Penrhyn opened the scoring on the hour mark after being awarded a free kick on the edge of the box after Captain Preece was shown the yellow card for bringing down Josh Shaw, Jones’ freekick took a deflection and beat I. Jones at the far post 0-1. The Saints were level 10 minutes later when a floated free kick into the box was poorly punched away by Morgan, the ball fell to Sam Mayglothling some 35 yards out he lobbed it back over everyone into the back of the net 1-1. The Saints were in control now, Manager Fil Wisniewski took son Josh off and replaced him with youngster John Daw who linked up right away with K.Jones, Daws run resulted in a throw deep in Penrhyns half, a quick throw was taken to Sam Mac who tried to find K.jones but the ball hit the hand of a defender and the ref pointed straight to the spot. A delay took place while several Penrhyn players argued with the ref, the ball was finally put on the spot, up stepped Rob Snedden who smashed it past Morgan to make it 2-1 to The Saints with 5 minutes to go. Snedden was then the victim of an awful challenge which Sion Meredith was sent off for, Snedden was replaced by Joe Mayglothling, Stu Davies also came on to tighten the midfield up replacing Sam Mac who had run himself into the ground. The clock ticked down without any scares for the Saints and wild celebrations followed after the ref blew the final whistle. ft 2-1.
Another fantastic night for the players, officials and supporters of The Saints, nobody gave us a chance but the lads stepped up to the mark and never gave an inch to our opposition on the field of play. A special thank you to our large vocal following who are a credit to the club. Another first for the club by getting to the final of yet another prestigious cup, the 3 sides left in the other half of the draw are Newtown Reserves who are the title favourites in The Spa league above ours, they play a quarter final match against Guilsfield who are another Cymru Alliance side. The winner of that game play Berriew currently fourth in the Spar Mid Wales League in the other Semi final.
Men of the match Hay St Marys FC.
Team- I.Jones, R.Jones, C.Preece(c), M.Havard, G.Williams, B.Bevan, S.Mayglothling(S.Davies), S.Powell, R.Snedden(J.Mayglothling), K.Jones, J.Wisniewski(J.Daw).