Grounded Talbot keeper Simon Rayner can only look on in horror as John Toner fires Saints into the final.
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TONER THE HERO OF SEMI SUCCESS
GOALS have been few and far between for John Toner in a season marred by injury, but the marksman came off the bench to score one of the most important goals in Llansantffraid history.
With the game dead-locked and heading for extra-time, Toner's persistence paid off as he dispossessed Robert Cockings 20 yards out and advanced on Simon Rayner.
His first effort cannoned off the Talbot keeper but Toner swooped on the rebound to fire into an empty net.
It was heart-breaking for the south Wales outfit who had battled bravely all afternoon and matched Saints in every department.
They had the better of the first-half action, with Craig Hughes bringing an excellent save from Richard Acton after six minutes and sending a speculative lob high and wide with the keeper off his line.
Saints found it difficult to penetrate the Talbot back line, well-marshalled by Liam Hancock, but Martyn Naylor brought a fine save from Simon Rayner with a stinging 20-yard drive and a later low cross from the left caused havoc in the opposition defence.
Jamie Wood then breached the opposition line to put the ball past Rayner on the stroke of half-time, but the 'goal' was controversially ruled out for an infringement.
Although TNS were more successful in closing Talbot down in the second half, with Steve Evans superb at the back, Hughes managed to go close on two occasions while Saints had little luck going forward.
When the goal came it sparked a furious last six minutes with Toner going close a minute after he had scored.
Talbot's last ditch reply was to force Martyn Naylor to head off the line before Town man of the match, Allan Clarke, rattled the TNS crossbar in the dying seconds, although referee Brian Bevan had already blown for an offence.
Scott Ruscoe worked tirelessly down the left flank for Saints, but Steve Evans stood head and shoulders above his team-mates in a typical determined display. |
