Hay’s Reserves made it through to the final of the Corries Cup with a 3-2 victory against hosts Brecon Corries. The home side made a frantic start to the game, scoring twice in the opening stages to gain a comfortable lead but the Saints came back into it. They were eventually awarded for their persistance in the second half through goals from Alex Winstone, Gareth Jenkins and Zack Snape.
The Corries took the lead early in the game when their striker got goalside of his marker before firing past Chris Lloyd in the Saints’ goal. They added a second soon after when a long-free kick into the box was headed up and Nathan Holmes volleyed in. The Saints managed to gain a foothold in the game soon after with a change of formation seeing Tom Weaver push up front and they started to create some chances too; Will Goodwin saw his shot well held by the young ‘keeper after good work from Weaver whilst Jenkins attempt at a lob went over the bar. Sam Bradley headed over after a cross from the left-wing and Jamie Howard saw a well placed free-kick go just past the near post.
The Saints dominated proceedings in the second-half and nearly pulled a goal back when a through ball found W. Goodwin up front, but on the stretch he failed to make a proper connection to the ball. The goal did come soon after though when a corner by Jenkins was superbly met by Winstone in the air and he powered a header into the back of the net. The comeback began, although it could have been made much different if the Corries striker had scored a one on one after a lapse in concection at the back but Lloyd got the deftest of touches to deny him. Jenkins then made it 2-2 when a long-throw eventually made its way to Jenkins who ran into the box before slamming a shot across the ‘keeper and into the far corner. Kevin Goodwin narrowly missed with a lobbed shot after the ball had broken to him in the centre but moments later, the Saints got the winner. Weaver was bought down 25 yards out and up stepped Snape, who superbly directed a left-foot shot to seal the game with a goal of the highest quality. Haydn Williams, Brian Goodwin and Courtney Metcalfe provided fresh legs late on as Hay saw out the game with relative comfort.
The scoreline mirrored Hay’s other match in the competition so far after defeating Sennybridge 3-2. After a very poor start to the game, the Saints soon found their momentum and dominated the second-half. There were some good performances for the Saints with Lloyd looking solid in between the sticks, Snape and Jenkins performing well in their respective positions although the man of the match goes to Liam Pugh, who had a fine match at the back.
The final takes place on this coming Sunday.
Saints Reserves: Lloyd, Bradley, Pugh, Winstone, Snape, Jenkins, Howard, Weaver, Wilkes, K. Goodwin, W. Goodwin.
Subs: Williams, B. Goodwin, Metcalfe.