St. Florence 3

West Dragons 1

 

St. Florence entertained league leaders West Dragons and proved that on their day the Saints are more than a match for any side.

Before the game, things were not looking too good for the home side with the loss of Ben Blake to a poor tummy and Steve Lund to work commitments.

But fortunately, John Mackie was able to make his welcome return to the midfield and Jake Clarke filled in at left-back and did not disappoint.

The game started brightly with the visiting side passing the ball around nicely, but were not given any time and could have found themselves one down early on had Jamie Roberts not hit his shot so close to the 'keeper.

The home side opted for a 4-5-1 formation and proved to be the right choice as they increasingly found space in the midfield.

Colin Batley and Ashley Smith worked their socks off, up and down the wings, and the midfield trio of Paul Davis, John Mackie and Jamie Roberts combined well, with Paul playing the 'holding roll' allowing John and Jamie to push on and support the ever menacing Scott Smith up front at every opportunity.

Chances were being created at both ends with Scott and Ashley having the best of them for the Saints. The back four of Mark Roberts, Mark McSweeny (capt.), Barry Wolverson and the impressive Jake Clarke, held firm and restricted the Dragons to a couple of chances where the commanding Will Thomas was on hand to make some fine saves.

The defending was of a high standard with strong, but fair challenges, but things boiled over after one of the visiting players reacted, reducing both teams to 10 men.

The 0-0 half-time score line was not a fair reflection of how good a game this was, and the second half was more of the same, and as legs tired the game opened up even further.

Matthew Smith came on and settled into defence as both sides played some lovely football from the back, but it was the home side that broke the deadlock when Ashley found space down the right, powered his way into the box shooting low and hard across the keeper and into the bottom corner. A real crowd pleaser but the ref was not overly impressed with the 'ginger' winger's celebration!

The Saints now had their tails up and were rewarded further when from the half-way line Mark 'Alonso' Roberts hit a lovely ball over the top, and with the keeper concerned with the presence of Scotty, the ball sailed over them all and into the top of the net. This doubled the Saints lead and Marks goal tally for the season.

The Dragons played on enjoying some great possession determined to get back into the game, but were up against a lively St. Florence side, quick into the tackle and equally comfortable on the ball, the next goal was going to be crucial.

The third goal came and again it was to the home side, it was a fairly fortuitous goal but no more than St. Florence deserved. The Saints made good work down the right and swung a ball over and with several St. Florence attackers looming the Dragons defender was forced to intervene, cruelly sending the ball into the back of his own net.

St. Florence were now three up and enjoying the game. Jack Beynon came on and showed some neat touches and the freshly rolled pitch allowed both teams to play some nice football and just before the final whistle West Dragons were able to grab a consolation goal making the final score 3-1.

This was a magnificent team performance for the home side with every player giving 100 per cent, in a tough one to call the coaches choice of man-of-the-match goes to Barry Wolverson for his solid and commanding performance at the back.

With it being the last home game of the season, the Saints celebrated by taking the posts down and giving the changing rooms a spring clean!