The Saints went down 1-3 today to league leaders Knighton Town FC.
Our goal scorer was Brendan Hackett.
Knighton scorers were Sam Williams, Connor Bird(Penalty) and Mark Jones.
Knighton dominated the early exchanges playing with the wind, Saints keeper Steve Jones pulled off a great save from Mark Jones in the 10th minute. From the resulting Adam Worton corner striker Sam Williams beat his marker at the near post with a good header which gave Jones no chance putting the visitors 0-1 up.
A shot from a Knighton player in the 13th minute wind assisted bounced up and hit the bar but went out to safety.
We got into the game and in the 16th minute Brendan Hackett squared the ball to striker Ryan Davies who was one on one with Dave Exhall but the keeper saved with his legs from close range when it looked like the ball was goal bound. Just two minutes later a brilliant bit of play on the left saw Hackett beat Chris Roff, just as defender Worton was about to close him down Hackett hit a beaut from the edge of the box which flew past Exhall for 1-1.
The rest of the half didn’t see many more chances, Williams did go close with another header but it was becoming more difficult to play football as the heavens opened.
Ht 1-1
At this point I was confident we would go on and win, we had the wind in the second half and had kept Knighton fairly quiet in the first even though they saw more of the ball.
They aren’t top for no reason and came out out all guns blazing, Corin Jones went close in the 46th minute just firing wide. In the 52nd minute referee Rob Evans awarded a penalty for a pull back on Sam Williams by Matt James. In my opinion Williams was lucky to stay on the field after chasing James and kicking him in retaliation. Knighton top scorer Connor Bird scored from the spot to put his side 1-2 up.
You know it’s not your day when the howling wind from the first half basically stopped, saying that Knighton were in control anyway.
Winger Rob Snedden did put an effort over Exalls bar from distance, besides that we didn’t really threaten their goal besides a Hackett effort which was pulled wide.
With ten minutes to go the ball should of been cleared but found it’s away to the very impressive Mark Jones who netted from close range to put the game out of reach at 1-3.
Ft 1-3
Once again we started slow and this time were punished for it, it’s happened the last few games, it’s like we don’t start playing until the 15th minute. We can’t complain Knighton are a big strong side and have pace up top. I thought Mark Jones was outstanding for them until he went off and Sam Williams put in a good shift too. Our most dangerous player was Brendan but once he dropped deeper I felt our attacking threat had gone. It’s our first defeat in ten which has been a brilliant run by the lads so lets not get too disappointed.
Team –
Steve Jones, Jake Atkinson, Matt Croose, Steve Goodwin, Tom James, Brendan Hackett, Stu Davies(c)(Steve Morgan), Matt James, Rob Snedden, Jack Biggs, Ryan Davies Unused Subs Chris Preece and Harry Ratcliffe.
Sam Williams opens the scoring.
