The young reserves had a tough game against a strong ‘Cote’ side that included a number of players which have had first team Spar league experience.
The visitor’s started the strongest, keeping the Hay defence on alert and forcing goalkeeper Tom Bevan into making a few good early saves. The pressure kept coming and the deadlock was finally broken after a superb ball from a visitor’s midfielder found Joel Evans who made no mistake from the rebound after Bevan made a really good save from the initial shot. The young Saint’s got more into the game as the half went on and got their reward for the hard work when Harry Ratcliffe capitalised on a bad pass by the ‘Cote’ keeper to make it all square. 1-1 h.t
The second half again started with the visitor’s having a lot of the ball, it took 5 mins for lead to be restored after Dan Meredith was unlucky not to clear the ball off the line. Two soon become three with Joel Evans scoring his second. The young Saint’s were still working hard but the Northcote midfield duo of Jack Evans and Ben Moses were getting a lot of space in the middle of the park and started to dictate the game. Hay had a few half chances to get back into it through Shane Horrigan and Rhys Edwards but it was the Brecon side who made sure of things with a few mistakes creeping into the hard working, tiring Hay defence and Evans bagging himself 4. Final score 1-6.
Hay put in a really positive first half display, the work rate was superb and looked dangerous on the counter attack. Youngsters Dan Meredith and Griff Thomas looked solid alongside some older heads and Josh Cristopher made a lot of important tackles at left back. The second half heads went down after conceding the two quick goals and the Brecon first team players took control of the game. It was a good test for the youngsters and they will surely benefit over the season. Man of the match Griff Thomas.