The Saints came away with a win in the second round of the HFA Burghill Cup when they played Dore Valley at Kingstone.
In a game that was effected by a very srong wind blowing across the pitch the Saints went 1 down. Josh “Trunch” Barrell was put under pressure by a backpass by Steve Goodwin and the home striker closed the kick down and the charge down ran into an empty net. The Saints were not behind for too long though as a Steve Goodwin shot was too hot for the home keeper and brother Will was very sharp to score from an acute angle.
It then turned in to the Paul Ward Willis show as the Saints striker helped himself to a hat trick to put the Saints 4-2 up at half time. His first came from a clever Mike ” Psycho” Price set up and Ward Willis finished very well into the bottom corner right footed. The Saints third came after good work by Psycho and the impressive Gareth Pugh on the right. Ward Willis again showed great composure to apply a cool finish. Ceri Ward was the source of the next goal as he picked the ball up some 25 yards out and hit a left footed shot which Ward Willis got the decisive touch to.
The Saints went into half time 4 -2 up however this would not have been the case if Trunch had not pulled off three excellent saves and Chris Mills had not cleared off the line after a great Trunch save. As it was the home side kept themselves in the game with a second which did however owe itself to a bit of sloppy defending by the Saints.
The second half was just as entertaining with the home side pushing forward to get themselves back in the tie and the Saints looking to put the game out of their reach. Second half sub Oli Cooke did tremendously well in the box only to be hauled down by a home defender. Millsy dispatched the penalty sending the keeper the wrong way.
The home side were not finished though and hit back with a good headed goal from a cross from the right. They continued to push forward looking to get another however the Saints put the game beyond doubt when young Nick Rodell Jones finished well after being set up by Pughy. FT 6-3.
I thought that Trunch did very well in goal today , Psycho had probably his best game for the Saints and Pughy had another excellent game wide right. Overall a good team performance from the side which sees them through to the next round.
Team; Josh Barrell, Chris Mills, Mike Havard, Chris Bounds, Gareth Pugh, Ceri Ward, Steve Goodwin(Nick Rodell Jones), Charlie Bullock, Mike Price, Paul Ward Willis(Oli Cooke), Will Goodwin.