PRESCOTT ANSWERS THE CALL IN 10-MAN SHOW
SAINTS eventually ran out comfortable winners against bottom club and old rivals Barry Town.
But they were made to work hard for the points after being reduced to 10 men after only 21 minutes.
Barry's Jamie Michael, one of three mid-week signings from Newport County, was put through by Mattie Davies.
Ged Doherty was caught well off his line and, one-on-one with the advancing Michael, was forced to save his shot outside the box, resulting in a red card from referee Gerald Davies.
Ken McKenna chose to bring on Scholarship central defender Neil Prescott to take over the gloves and the youngster, who turned 17 only this week, rose to the occasion magnificently.
He produced a fine save to prevent Michael again from scoring just before the break and in the second half showed alertness to scamper across his line and save from a quickly taken Sherbon free kick.
TNS could have taken a very early lead when Simon Davies played a sublime through ball to Michael Wilde, who blasted wide with only Lee Rudall to beat.
But on 18 minutes, Saints were ahead after a comedy of errors. Attempted clearances by Adam Shakespeare and Gareth Elliott were both blocked by Mike Wilde and gave Jamie Wood a shooting opportunity which hit the keeper on its way to goal before Scott Ruscoe followed it in.
An hour of stalemate saw Saints readily hold their own at the back and restrict the Dragons to speculative long range shots, notably from Mark Duckett.
But it again took the aerial power of Steve Evans to bring the breakthrough for Saints.
Martyn Naylor took a throw on the right from which Scott Ruscoe crossed high for Evans to head his fourth league goal of the season past Rudall unopposed at the far post.
Three minutes later, substitute Steven Beck beat a defender on the left, before crossing perfectly for Jamie Wood to drive home a third from close range.
The introduction of the pacey John Toner had added penetration to the front line and he laid on a chance for Wood, who could have scored a fourth, but fired just wide from the edge of the box.
"Losing Ged was a big blow," said manager Ken McKenna.
"But fair play to Neil Prescott, he is a centre half who can play in goal and we owe him a big debt.
"He showed great temperament when he was called upon and I'm really pleased for him."
Prescott was named man of the match by the sponsors. |
