The Saints started on the front foot and attacked the home side from the off. Matty Tong and Adi
Lawford both went close to scoring early on only for the keeper and then the far post to deny them.
The Saints had the ball in the net within 10mins but it was ruled out for offside. It was really nice
build up play with Tong sliding Rob Snedden through on goal who smashed it past the keeper from 8
yards. Castle started to get more in the game and also looked dangerous up top through Martin
Ziemann. The Saints again had the ball in the net when Tong was put through one on one and lobbed
the keeper but it was again ruled out for offside. The Saints continued to put the pressure on and a
Snedden corner was saved on the line. The home side took the lead with a brilliant individual effort
through Ziemann. He nodded a long clearance past Adam Finn on the half way line down the right
hand side. Ziemann then knocked it past the oncoming Steve Jones, he then cut in and beat Josh
Davies at his front post. The home side continued to grow in confidence seeing a lot of the ball but
the Saints equalised when Matty Tong shot took a slight dereliction and beat the keeper at his front
post from a Biggs through ball. Castle made it 2-1 after a mix up at the back. The unfortunate Steve
Jones saw his clearance charged down and the ball was calmly slotted away by Josh Collins. Ht 2-1.
The Saints couldn’t have asked for a better start to the second half. On 46 mins Castle played a back
pass to the keeper who picked it up. A free kick inside the area was given. Snedden touched the ball
to Tong who curled the ball into the far corner of the net with his left foot. The home side argued
with the ref about the back pass and saw a red card for abusive language towards the official. The
Saints piled on the pressure throughout the half and saw most of the ball. Ziemann continued to be
a handful up top on his own when he has possession. Tong almost put the visitors ahead when he
got a toe on a through ball from Snedden when 18 yards out. His shot beat the keeper but hit the
outside of the post and stayed on the touchline. Tong tried flicking the ball around the post but a
home defender got back to clear the danger. 10 mins later a lovely waited ball from Will Goodwin
down the right was met by Biggs who again hit the post for the Saints. The home side kept strong,
defended well and slowed the clock down but their was one last chance for a winner in the 88th
minute when Biggs met a cross with a volley but his effort went over the bar. Ft 2-2.
It was a frustrating afternoon for the Saints who did enough to claim the points but fair play to
Bishop’s Castle for a solid defensive display when going down to 10 men.
Saints man of the match was between Matty Tong and Callum Maddy.
Team.
Josh Davies, Matt Venables, Will Goodwin, Steve Jones, Adam Finn, Charley Howarth (Phil Davies),
Jack Cripps, Jack Biggs, Rob Snedden, Adi Lawford (Harry Ratcliffe), Matty Tong.
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