SAINTS FAIL TO HOLD EARLY LEAD
LLANSANTFFRAID came back from bogey side Afan Lido empty handed despite putting in a good performance. The Saints had lost all three meetings between the clubs, but should have returned home with at least a point after being in front. Lively striker Carlton Millar was brought down by Lido keeper Brian Jones after 29 minutes when debutant Ian Evans had put him through. Ian Howatt stepped up to convert the penalty, but it all went downhill for Ian Clark's men after that. A long ball from the back held up in the wind and caused a defensive mix-up which Mitch Patten capitalised on to equalise. Poor defending was to blame again for Lido's second which turned out to be the winner. Slack marking from a 42nd minute corner resulted in Neil Jones having a free header, which he powered past helpless keeper Andy Mulliner. Saints had their chances in a match dominated by a strong wind. In the opening minutes, Gary Evans played a neat one-two with Howatt, but failed to hit the target with just the keeper to beat. And in the second half, Evans seemed to choose the wrong option and squared the ball when a shot would have been better. |