Hay ran out 2-1 winners in todays Emrys Morgan Cup Final in Newtown. Goal scorers were Gavin Williams and Rob Snedden. There was also said to be 200+ Saints fans in the overall attendance of 503.
Saints Captain Chris Preece and goalkeeper Bryan Kirkham lifting the cup.
Hay Saints won the J.Emrys Morgan after a hard fought battle with Llanidloes Town.
The game was lively in the opening spell with Kevin Jones using his strength in the 2nd minute to out muscle his marker and release Gavin Williams down the left, Williams shot had the Saints supporters jumping up and down in what looked a certain goal only for it to bounce off the inside of the post to safety. Two minutes later the Saints found themselves a goal down after a quick throw on the right a Llanidloes player stretched his leg out and his volley looped over the Saints defence into to the top right hand corner giving keeper Ian Jones no chance 0-1. On 11 minutes Jones left his marker and shot from the edge of the box but another centre half dived across to block what looked a goal bound shot. The Saints were level after 16 minutes, Rob Snedden sent in a free kick which Captain Chris Preece headed on to Gavin Williams who made no mistake from 6 yards 1-1. Llanidloes hit long balls forward quickly at every opportunity to their pacy strikers who caused the Saints a few problems early doors but never really tested Jones in the Saints goal. The Saints struggled to get their passing game going with Llani keen to close them down quickly whenever they had the ball. ht 1-1.
The second half started much the better for the Saints, Powell and Mayglothling took control of the centre of the park and started passing the ball around with much more fluency and on 51 minutes The Saints took the lead when Rob Snedden picked the ball up around the half way line and ran at the Llani defence, he beat two men with ease and then shot from 18 yards which took a slight deflection and flew into the net 2-1. The Saints continued to have the upper hand with Llanidloes struggling to get out of their half, Saints manager Fil Wisniewski made 3 changes bringing on Bevan, Daw and J.Mayglothling for Davies, Snedden and Williams and immediately Bevan started causing Llani problems with his direct running and only some last ditch tackles around the edge of the box stopped scoring chances. Saints Captain Chris Preece slipped on 78 minutes and let in Gareth Jones who was in goal with only Jones to beat but the Saints stopper stood up and made a great save with his feet. Llanidloes keeper tipped a Kevin Jones effort around the post on 83 minutes, on 86 minutes he made an even better point blank save from Jones and the rebound fell to youngster Johhny Daw but he blasted his effort just over the bar, Jones also slid the ball across the 18 yard box to strike partner Josh Wisniewski who just couldn’t get enough power on it to trouble the keeper. With the Saints fans screaming for the final whistle Ian Jones again pulled off a great save tipping an effort around the post and got a kick in the back of his head from the Llani striker for his efforts. The game was held up for a couple of minutes while he was treated when it resumed the Saints penned Llani in their own area forcing a couple of corners when the second corner was cleared the referee blew for full time. ft 2-1.
Not a great game but a great victory for the club who yesterday made history by winning this coveted trophy for the first time.
The team decided Ian was man of the match, although he had hardly anything to do all game he pulled off two quality saves right at the end when under pressure, well done Eios.
Team- I.Jones, R.Jones, C.Preece(c), M.Havard, P.Davies(J.Daw), R.Snedden(J.Mayglothling), S.Mayglothling, S.Powell, G.Williams(B.Bevan), K.Jones, J.Wisniewski.
Many thanks to the biggest away following I’ve seen for The Saints in my time with the club, you were a credit to the club and town.