Barry Saints hit Leckwith Elite for six (From Barry And District News)

Barry Saints hit Leckwith Elite for six

8:40am Thursday 13th September 2012 in Sport

BARRY SAINTS 6 LECKWITH ELITE 0

A BEAUTIFUL Sunday morning provided the perfect setting for a magnificent performance from Barry Saints in crushing Leckwith Elite.

Saints started with fast flowing football and precise passes, leading to numerous chances on goal. Reverting to a familiar 4-5-1 formation, Saints dominated the midfield and had plenty of time on the ball.

Shane Harding, finding himself through one-on-one, went for the spectacular chip but saw his effort sail just wide. And in a carbon copy of the first chance, he again lifted the ball over the onrushing keeper - this time it hit the foot of the post. Josh Cummings was causing problems down the left and, with a shot from an awkward angle, also hit the post.

The breakthrough came when David 'Des' Evans glided past three Leckwith players and sent a dipping shot goalwards from 30 yards. The keeper misjudged the bounce and the ball hit the back of the net. Saints' passing game was in full flow and, maintaining possession and picking passes at will, they quickly found themselves three up.

Josh Griffiths converted after getting forward and onto the end of a low Joey Matthews cross to claim his first goal for the Saints; and Matthews then found himself on the scoresheet when, after a great reverse pass by Evans, he calmly slotted home from a one-on-one.

At half time Saints were good value for their lead and manager Gareth 'Bo' Long decided to mix things up, making a substitution in midfield to provide fresh legs.

Saints got off to a fantastic start, with the back four of Joshua Griffiths, Oliver Cooke, Andrew Wyatt and Alun Wyatt playing simple passes, getting the midfield in to the game and keeping hold of the ball. Then with a sharp turn and precise dribble, Evans smashed a 30-yard thunderbolt into the top corner.

Saints were far from finished, with the midfield picking out Harding who this time made no mistake and slotted the ball into the bottom corner. Saints piled on the pressure and Arturs Zomerovskis, giving great width down the right, provided numerous goalscoring opportunities but the finishing touch was missing.

Andrew Wyatt threaded a 40-yard pass through to James Cooke who left his defender for dead before firing his low effort straight at an onrushing keeper.

Then in the dying moments, Zach Cleary collected the ball on the edge of the box after a corner fizzled out and his cross/shot bamboozled the keeper and his own teammates to find the net. A great team performance from the Saints and a possible sign of things to come as they face the same opposition next week in the league.

Saints: Nicky, Berto, Ollie, Aimar, Josh G, Joey, Dez, Ben, Zack, Josh C, Shane, James, Artus, Sion, Phill and Bo.