SAINTS 1-0 LLANDRINDOD WELLS
It was a game that saw two in form teams battle for a possible top four finish in the league. The first half was a very cagey affair from both sides with not many chances being created and seeing the defences come out on top. Adi Lawford was causing problems to the Dod fullback with his pace as was Robbie Nicholls for the visitors. Rob Snedden hit a peach of a free kick from 25 yards on the half hour mark which went inches over the bar and Stu Davies was just about to play a ball to Brendan Hackett when clean through before the ball hit a terrible bobble. Both keepers had little to do but the visitors had their best chance of the half on 44 mins when Nicholls ran down the left wing, played the ball to the striker who hit it wide of the far post. ht 0-0
The Saints started a lot brighter second half, Lawford created two good chances after good work down the right. Firstly he played in Hackett who had his shot saved by Dod keeper Joe Prosser. It was then the turn of Jordan Baker to produce another top save from the visitors number one. Llandod were also creating half chances but the Hay back four in Baker, Matt Croose, Jake Atkinson and Rory Hackett where solid and dealt with everything thrown at them. On the hour mark the best chance of the game fell to the home side when Steve Morgan’s firm header from a Brendan Hackett corner went a foot over the bar. The deadlock was broken on the 68th minute when Hackett had a mazy run down the left, beat the defender, crossed the ball in hard and low and the unfortunate defender sliding back turned the ball into his own net. There were more half chances for both sides and the impressive Prosser made another good save from Hay substitute Kevin Jones. The final 6 minutes of the game saw the visitors have a number of free kicks and corners but Saints keeper Steve Jones did what he had to do well and relieved the pressure with his defence. FT 1-0
It was a solid team performance against a very well organised Llandod side with both teams defended superbly. The victory now means that we have secured a top five finish and are in the driving seat for fourth.
Sponsor Gareth Ratcliffe’s man of the match was the impressive Matt Croose
Striker Brendan Hackett crossed into the box from the left and the ball was turned into his own net by a ‘Dod’ defender.
