The Saints left it very late to snatch all three points at Abermule FC with top scorer Matty Tong netting a 91st minute winner after a brilliant run and cross from Tom Landon.
We played up the slope in the first half in heavy conditions, Abermule had the first chance from distance but stand in keeper Tom Bevan did well to keep it out. Our first chance came in the 7th minute and in form Jack Biggs should really have scored but the hosts keeper saved from close range.
As the half wore on we looked comfortable and I know the gaffer would have been happy going in at the break level, however, a cross from the right by Abermules Tommy Jones sailed over everyone and dropped in the back of the net. 1-0
Abermule had a couple of corners and free kicks but our defence dealt with them comfortable lead by the outstanding Chris Preece and saw the rest of the half out just the one goal down.
Ht 1-0
Our game plan went out of the window in the 47th minute, the hosts had a corner on the left which was whipped in and met with a powerful header from 16 yards out by Will Denham, the header nestled in the back of the net. 2-0
From this point on we dominated possession and chances but we just couldn’t seem to find the back of the net. Darren Horrigan and Tom Landon were giving the two full backs a torrid time out wide, Biggs and Callum Maddy with Jamie Howard behind taking control of the centre of the park.
Jack Biggs went on a run and put in Matty Tong who should of scored but his effort hit the post, he also turned in the area 5 minutes later and put another effort wide when he should of done better. Tom Landon was also through on goal one on the one with the keeper but again another effort was fired straight at the home stopper.
Those are just a few of the efforts I can remember off the top of my head.
The goal finally came under bizarre circumstances, after another Saints attack broke down, the Abermule centre half passed the ball across the 18 yard area straight to the lively Horrigan who calmly slotted the ball past the keeper with ten minutes to go. 2-1
We now had Abermule pinned deep in their own half, Horrigan was tripped and a free kick was awarded out wide on the left. Jamie Howard sent in a deep cross which saw captain Chris Preece power home a header at the back post in the 85th minute.
In the 91st minute Abermule were attacking our goal when we won the ball back and got it out wide to Landon who sprinted down the wing, he went around the full back and crossed low and hard, we had four players running into the area at the time but it was Tong got in between the two centre backs and slid the ball into the back of the net. Wild celebrations followed after what looked a losing cause with ten minutes to go.
Ft 3-2
Another good win on the road against an inform Abermule who have been on a good unbeaten run of late, it’s always been a tough place to go over the years. On chances created we should of been out of site but it wasn’t to be, we had to keep going and finally break them down in injury time to claim all three points.
Once again our two centre backs played very well, stand in keeper Tom Bevan made a great save just before half time at 1-0, however, I thought it was Darren Horrigan who gets the man of the match award.
Team –
Tom Bevan, Richard Meredith, Chris Preece(c), Adam Finn, Will Goodwin, Jack Biggs, Tom Landon, Darren Horrigan, Jamie Howard, Callum Maddy and Matty Tong. No subs used.
Goal scorer Matty Tong.
Goal scorer Darren Horrigan.
Goal scorer Chris Preece.
