Banw left Forest Road with three well deserved points after a 1-3 victory.
The Saints goal was scored by Josh Wisniewski.
The Saints slipped to a second successive home defeat as Dyffryn Banw continued their climb up the Spar Mid Wales League. And The Saints can have few complaints as they were second best against a Banw side who showed just why they were December’s Team of the Month.
An amazing overnight thaw meant the game on for Hay who were looking to bounce back from their narrow Boxing Day reversal at the hands of Presteigne but from the off it was the visitors who looked the more dangerous. Hay ‘keeper, Stephen Price made a good save at the feet of Ed Vaughan while captain, Chris Preece and Josh Davies got in timely blocks as Banw threatened. It was no real surprise when Vaughan broke the deadlock at the far post on 19 minutes. Gareth Jenkins hit the angle of post and bar with a snapshot at the other end immediately after but it was Banw who doubled their lead on 33 minutes. A long ball from Mark Griffiths caught out the Hay defence and Ryan Martin rolled the ball into an empy net after winning a challenge with ‘keeper, Price.
Josh Wisniewski and Jenkins might have made more of a teasing cross from Phil Davies but Price had to be alert just before half-time to deny Martin.
Chris Baynton’s side needed an early second half goal but within two minutes of the second half kicking off were facing a mountain to climb as the impressive Mark Roberts netted a scrappy third for Banw following a corner.
Wisniewski hoped he had sparked a comeback when he headed in from Tom Weaver’s cross following a short corner on 69 minutes and The Saints did get the ball in the net again. But Jenkins saw his effort ruled out for off-side after being slipped through by Kevin Jones and that linesman’s flag ended any thoughts of salvaging a point.
A poor performance from The Saints against a very well organised and experienced visiting team. Man of the match is easy this week, well played Becksy!!
Team- Steve Price, Josh Davies(Liam Pugh), Chris Preece(c), Wes Evans, Phil Davies(Steve Goodwin), Will Goodwin(Stu Davies), Sam Powell, Tom Weaver, Gareth Jenkins, Josh Wisniewski, Kevin Jones.