Hay Reserves lifted their first silverware of the season overcoming early season title favourites Talgarth Town at Forest Road 3-2 in the Owen Evans Memorial Summer Cup Final. Gavin Perry opened the scoring for the visitors but Jake Atkinson replied with a looping header. Liam Bannister put Talgarth back in front before Jon Sly’s brilliant strike levelled proceedings. Steve Goodwin stepped forward to become the hero on the night with a fine winning goal late in the second-half.
Before the game, Hay were dealt a blow with the news that captain Alec Winstone wouldn’t be playing. This meant Andrew Harris had to shuffle the team around with Sam Bradley moving to centre-back, Gareth Jenkins playing in his favoured position of right-back and Atkinson coming in on right-wing. The visitors were at full strength with a number of new faces featuring coming in from Brecon Corries.
Hay failed to settle down in the early stages, looking nervous at times with Talgarth playing some tidy football without threatening. The first real opportunity of the game came when Rob Snedden set up S. Goodwin who hit the post with a shot from 20 yards. The visitors took the lead when a long-ball over the top was chased down by Rob McNamara and he was bought down by ‘keeper Chris Lloyd. It could have been adjudged as being a last man tackle but the referee thought otherwise. Perry took the free-kick and found the net with superb accuracy in about the only possible place he was going to score. Hay soon were level though when S. Goodwin hit a diagonol pass into the area from the left and Atkinson escaped the attentions of his marker Ben Rees, meeting the ball with a looping header over the visiting ‘keeper.
The game progressed and both sides pressed forward with Talgarth scoring the next goal of the game. Talgarth soon bought Hay back down to earth though when Bannister cut in from the left-wing, beating two defenders in the process before slotting the ball in past Lloyd. Hay levelled soon after though Sly. It surely goes down as a early contender for goal of the season too. The ball had been played down the right-wing to the pacey striker and quick thinking and superb vision, coupled with stunning execution saw Sly hit the ball early, on the half-volley from 40 yards over the head of the ‘keeper and into the net.The Saints had appeals for a penalty turned down when there appeared to be a handball in the Talgarth area after a Jamie Howard free-kick.
The second-half saw the pace slow as a number of players from either side started to struggle with cramp, after such a tenacious first period. Both sides went in search of the winning goal with Snedden trying his luck on a number of occasions but to no avail whilst at the other end, McNamara managed to escape the attentions of his marker before firing against the crossbar from an acute angle. Talgarth substitute Gareth Aplin should have won it for the visitors when he cut in from the left-wing into the box but his precise finish went just past the near post. With extra-time looming, Hay pulled a goal out of a hat filled with the highest quality. S. Goodwin, who had pushed into defence after an injury to stand-in captain Liam Pugh, took the ball into the Talgarth area, weaving his way past two defenders before gaining full control of the ball. A Ronaldo-esque roulette (or should I say Andy Williams for Hereford at Gravesend one cold March evening? No?) saw him beat two more men and to everyone’s surprise, come out with the ball through on the goal. He swept the ball past the young Talgarth ‘keeper and the Saints had the lead with moments to spare. Hay saw out those final moments to win the Summer Cup and really show their credentials for the coming season.
It was a fast-paced, physical encounter against a strong Talgarth Town. Andrew Harris was absolutly delighted with the result which really showed that Hay Reserves can have a say in the title race this year. Man of the match goes to Bradley, who time and time again defied gravity by beating McNamara in the air, despite the height difference. He was pushed close by Howard who gave his all in midfield whilst Jenkins, as said later on, had a solid game. The winning goal was top quality although it was obvious to see that S. Goodwin scuffed it! Next up for Hay Reserves is the trip to Talgarth Town in a re-match which sees the opening of the League. It could be tasty!
Hay Reserves: Lloyd, Jenkins, Bradley, Pugh, Snape, Atkinson, Howard, S. Goodwin, K. Goodwin, Snedden, Sly.
Subs: Jones, Wilkes, W. Goodwin.
Final Score: Hay Reserves 3-2 Talgarth Town