The Saints won a penalty shoot out 4-2 against Knighton Town FC after the sides were locked at 2-2 after extra time.
Saints Goal scorers were Matt James and Adi Lawford.
Knighton scorers were Sam Williams and Danny Ives.
The opening exchanges were even, the first real chance fell to Connor Bird in the 15th minute when he turned and hit a shot, Saints keeper Steve Jones made an excellent save to keep it out tipping it around the the post.
In the 21st minute we broke down the right, Brendan Hackett found Rob Snedden who crossed into the box to the oncoming Matt James, the midfielder made no mistake from close range. 1-0
The lead lasted all of four minutes when a carbon copy goal was scored by Knighton, this time Bird crossed from the right to strike partner Sam Williams who also made no mistake from close range albeit getting injured in the process. 1-1.
Bird had another effort saved by Jones and up the other end Steve Goodwins header went inches wide. Ht 1-1.
In the second half a Wiliams effort took a wicked deflection with Jones caught flat footed, luckily for ‘The Saints’ the ball went just wide.
In the 65th minute the impressive Matt Croose saw his header from a Hackett corner brilliantly saved by Nicky Cadwallader.
Knighton had several corners and free kicks around the edges of the area which were either headed or punched away by Jones and his defence. Ft 1-1
In extra time Knighton piled the pressure on as we had to rely on the counter attack, their pressure finally told. From yet another corner sub Mark Jones’ effort was blocked but midfielder Danny Ives managed to bundle the ball over the line to see ‘The Radnor Robins’ go 1-2 up.
At this point I couldn’t see a way back but we dug deep and a break down the left by Adi Lawford from a Tom James pass saw Knighton captain Adam Farmer having to kick the ball out for a corner. Hackett’s corner in the 116th minute found Croose who headed the ball down towards the six yard box where somehow winger Lawford back healed it upwards into the top corner. 2-2.
To Knighton’s credit they came back at us and captain Stu Davies made two last grasp tackles on Bird to stop him breaking through, when he did get through in the last minute of the match he fired wide. ET FT 2-2
Penalty order – Knighton Town FC went first –
Connor Bird (scored), Rob Snedden (scored), Mark Jones (scored), Brendan Hackett (scored), Sam Williams (missed), Jack Biggs (scored) , Gareth Mansell (saved), Jordan Baker (scored).
We were under enormous pressure in exta time but refused to give up, Knighton are a big strong experienced side. We gave too many silly fouls away which put us under pressure but our defenders and keeper dealt with Wortons’ quality free kicks and corners very well. I thought Steve Jones was excellent in goal, but my man of the match was Matt Croose who was outstanding throughout even after a cowardly off the ball elbow to the face which didn’t deter him one bit. The whole team battled well for such a young side and boy did they celebrate after!!!.
Team –
Steve Jones, Jordan Baker, Jake Atkinson(Steve Morgan), Matt Croose, Tom James, Stu Davies(c), Matt James, Steve Goodwin(Jack Biggs), Ryan Davies(Adi Lawford), Brendan Hackett and Rob Snedden.
Photos from Stu Townsend.