Reserves win at Home
We were one of only three games on, our second pitch holding up well in the rain and snow. The Reserves were thankful for the game but we were up against a Rhayader team who had clearly been improved by some new signings. We were going to be in for a battle, and sure enough that was how the game started.
Player manager Joe Emmett was forced off after 12 mins with a bang to his knee and Stu Snedden replaced him and promptly crossed in for Stu Rees to score – an inspired substitution! The Reserves welcomed back Jamie Howard after his holiday and hell did we need him, pulling the strings in midfield.
HT 1:0
The first half had also seen James Eckley forced off for another injury, again a muscle gone in these freezing conditions. Harry Gilb came on. And within minutes of the second substitute Stu Sneeds was forced off, replaced by Tom Weave.
We continued to push, using the wings well with Darren Horrigan constantly breaking the off side trap. Both Macca and Josh W harried up front, unsettling what was a very good back four for Rhayader. Eventually we achieved the all important second goal when Macca ran through and brilliantly slotted in with his left foot.
Games are never secure at 2:0 and Rhayader still pushed. Tom Bevan pulled off some fine saves and was well protected by Adam Finn and Chris Preece. Wilf Ratcliffe can on to search for the protection of the third game and finally it came with another great run from Tom Weaver and another goal – he is rapidly becoming super sub!
Rhayader did eventually get one back but thankfully the team held firm. We even had a penalty disallowed- somehow-after Darren Horrigan was deemed to have dived!
FT – 3:1 Man of the Match Jamie Howard
The First Team went down 5-2 at Llanrhaeadr in difficult conditions.
In freezing conditions we battled well in for the opening 35 minutes, although ‘Llan’ were on top we looked comfortable plus we had a couple of good chances on the counter attack.
That all changed in the 37th minute when a mistake at the back left Iain Edunds with a tap in 1-0. The same player doubled the lead just two minutes later with a long range wonder strike for 2-0. Things got even worse three minutes later when a clearance in a ‘Llan’ player and rolled into the back of the net.
So, after 36 minutes it’s 0-0 and on 42 minutes we are 3-0 down and have our heads down as the referee blows up for half time.
Ht 3-0
We battled well in the second half down the slight slope but it was the hosts who went further ahead through Iwan Matthews in the 75th minute.
For the last 15 minutes centre half Matt Croose was thrown up top and his cross was turned into the net by a ‘Llan’ defender in the 85th minute. 4-1
Iwan Matthews got his second of the afternoon putting ‘Llan’ 5-1 ahead, we scored with the last kick of the game. Croose again was causing problems in the box and his pull back found Jack Biggs who rolled the ball into the back of the net for a consolation goal at the death.
Ft 5-2
This was always going to be a tough ask with a full side, however, we went without Rob Snedden, Stu Davies, Matt James, Will Goodwin, Ryan Davies and Adi Lawford. The four youngsters in the squad all did well and will gain experience from the trip for the future.
The Reserves won 3-1 at home against Rhayader Town Reserves.
Goal scorers were Stu Rees, Rob McNamara and Tom Weaver.
I don’t know much about the reserves game except we were 1-0 up at half time through Stu Rees. We added two more goals in the second half through Rob McNamara and Tom Weaver to go 3-0 up. Rhayader pulled a goal back late on to the end days scoring at 3-1.
The returning Jamie Howard who was been away for a month was man of the match.