The Saints won their last friendly before the Welsh Cup tie against Monmouth next Friday by 3 goals to 1 against a very strong Montgomery side who are well known for beating Spar Mid Wales sides in friendlies and cup matches.
The first half was a very even affair with neither side creating that many chances, Sam Powell for the Saints had 3 long range efforts but they were easily saved by Steve Goodwin in the Monty goal, Saints keeper Steve Price pulled off a wonder save after his own defender Josh Davies nearly scored an own goal with a bullet of an header from a Monty corner but some how Price managed to keep it out at full stretch showing great athleticism in doing so.
The Saints Steve Goodwin did beat the Monty keeper with a header from a corner but a defender cleared off the line, the rest of the half was a good even battle with the ref blowing up for half-time with the score 0-0.
Saints Manager Chris Baynton pushed Captain Chris Preece up into midfield for the second period with Mike Havard coming off the bench into a centre back position. The Saints got on top from the off and started pushing Monty onto the back foot, Gavin Williams started raiding down the left and linked up well with the outstanding Sam Mayglothling, Brian Dyer also started finding lots of space just behind the hard working Josh Wiswnieski. The Saints opened the scoring on the hour mark after a cross from the left went towards Preece who cleverly stepped over it on the edge of the box, midfielder Mayglothling hit a beaut of a shot with the outside of his boot up into the top corner of the net giving Goodwin no chance. The second goal came 7 minutes later again after some good work down the left resulted in Dyer crossing into the box to the far post to striker Wisniewski who finished well from close range. The Saints were now in a purple patch and scored again after a Wisniewski flick on found Dyer out wide on the left, Dyer cut across his marker and an sent in an inch perfect cross to substitute Garry Keeble who also finished well at the back post.
Montgomery got back in the game in the last 15 minutes and pushed forward and only another good save by Price this time diving to his left kept them out, they finally got a goal they deserved on the day when a quickly taken free kick was headed in unchallenged after the Saints defence were caught napping for the one and only time on the day. ft 3-1
A hard fought victory against a strong Monty side who will be one of the favourites to get promoted this season. The only worry at the moment for the management team must be the first 10 to 15 minutes which it takes for us to get settled.
Overall another good team performance and with Kevin Jones, Stu Davies, Phil Davies, Ben Bevan and Wes Evans all unavailable on the day it goes to show the strength in depth of the squad.
There were several man of the match contenders from Becksy right through the side but for me Sam Mac was our best player on the day.
Team- S.Price, J.Davies, C.Preece(c), S.Goodwin, G.Williams, B.Dyer, S.Powell, S.Mayglothling, T.Wilkes(M.Havard), W.Goodwin(G.Keeble), J.Wisniewski.
Tonk..