The saints marched into round 3 of the minor cup despite an early scare against lower league opponents Ponteland United Reserves on a blustery rainy day at bullocksteads. The saints went with YT and Hendo up top due to last weeks front 2 being unavailable Brucey (Holiday) Kane (suspended) there was also a welcome return for Blakey who slotted into a midfield 3 with fez and Liam.
The game started in pouring down rain and strong winds making it hard for the saints to impose there higher league status on the home side with a couple of early corners our only input in a slow start. The ponteland number 9 started off brightly and his mazy run down the right provided Utd reserves with the first chance of the game but their number 10 dragged his shot wide off Carl's right hand post. The first real chance of the game then fell to the Quay as bod found himself in a great position beyond the Pont back four only to fire his shot over the bar with the keeper stranded. Dale then imposed himself on the game with a crunching tackle on there player who to be fair took it well as the game heated up.
Bod went closer next time producing a fine save from their keeper after once again finidng himself in a great position as the saints found joy down the right hand side, henda then headed wide after a quality free kick from fez found him 10 yards out but minutes later the saints were a goal behind, a long throw in was flicked on towards Carl who punched staright in the air and as the ball came down and under pressure he palmed the ball into his own net to give Ponteland the lead with an unfortunate own goal. The saints responded straight away however as Noel found himself with time in midfield to thread an exquisite through ball to YT who produced a neat first time finish past the keeper to grab his 3rd of the season and a deserved equaliser for us.
Just before half time Carl redeemed himself with a stunning one handed save after the Pont forward found himself one on one after kingy missed a long ball as the first half ended in torrential rain and the army of saints fans descended onto the Bullockstead cafe to grab a half time bovril
The saints started the second half in fine form and went ahead with a stunning strike from Fez who picked the ball up 30 yards out before rifling a rocket of a shot into the top corner a strike he later described as looking "Like a plane taking off" in what is an early candidate for goal of the season. The pont players were tiring and Liam was beginning to shine beating a few players with one drop of the shoulder in centre midfield whilst our defense looked comfortable despite a bit of pressure from corners. Yt came off to be replaced by Grant who went up top and immedietly set up the saints third goal playing in the impressive Liam Taylor who cooly slotted home past the keeper for his first goal of the season. Henda and Bod came off for Breheny and Austin and Andy nearly scored with his first touch as he nearly got on the end of a poor backpass but the keeper recovered, Austin went up for a few corners looking to grab his first ever saints goal but was thwarted by last ditch defending.
The game ended 3-1 and despite not being at out best we did enough to get our name in the hat for the next round and we await thursdays draw with immense excitement.
