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RESERVES OFF TO A FLYER IN SEASON OPENER
Mark Wilkins4 Sep 2017 - 13:50
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Saints Reserves started off their league campaign as they finished last season.
Saints Reserves took to the pitch for manager Martin Woodward's first competitive game in charge, as they welcomed Launton Sports Res to Boults Lane.
It was Launton who got the game under way but a misplaced pass was picked up by the Saints midfield and a quick ball over top to Jae Sharkey allowed the youngster to weave his way into the box and dispatch his shot inside the near post after 28 secs!! With their tails up it wasn't long before Saints were again threatening the Launton goal, with some nice link up play in midfield involving Owen Harris, Kieron Johnson and debutant Colin Ryan. So it was no surprise when Daniel Smith netted for Saints to open his scoring account for the season, after he was put clear through with just the keeper to beat. But against the run of play Launton's Mark Scanes found himself bearing down on the stranded Lee Sharkey in the Saints goal, to get one back for Launton.
Following some breathtaking passing movements, it was time for another debutant Max Dybalski to enter the fray. Lee Sharkey played a delightful "Scholesesque" pass over the head of the Launton right back and when Dyablski collected he twisted his way into the box, played a on-two with Jae Sharkey and smashed the return pass into the back of the net. Owen Harris got a fourth for Saints which was deserved for his work rate, but again a Launton struck back. A quick throw inside Saints left back Damien Dean, allowed Launton's captain Ben Dyer to smash his shot inside the far post, but just before the break Jae Sharkey got his second to make it 5-2 at half time.
A more resolute Launton took to the pitch for the second half, which meant that the Saints defence saw alot more action. David "Booey" Hook playing at centre half alongside Jason Hallatt didn't put a foot wrong and on more than one occasion got that vital final touch to deny the Launton forwards. Ryan Smith was also busier in thesecond half but also dealt with anything that came his way and also linked up well with Owen Harris. Mark Lewis and Kyle Harris came off the bench to make their debuts and it was the latter who neatly played in Smith allowing him to bag his brace and make the final score 6-2 and capping off a fine performance for Martin Woodward.
It was Launton who got the game under way but a misplaced pass was picked up by the Saints midfield and a quick ball over top to Jae Sharkey allowed the youngster to weave his way into the box and dispatch his shot inside the near post after 28 secs!! With their tails up it wasn't long before Saints were again threatening the Launton goal, with some nice link up play in midfield involving Owen Harris, Kieron Johnson and debutant Colin Ryan. So it was no surprise when Daniel Smith netted for Saints to open his scoring account for the season, after he was put clear through with just the keeper to beat. But against the run of play Launton's Mark Scanes found himself bearing down on the stranded Lee Sharkey in the Saints goal, to get one back for Launton.
Following some breathtaking passing movements, it was time for another debutant Max Dybalski to enter the fray. Lee Sharkey played a delightful "Scholesesque" pass over the head of the Launton right back and when Dyablski collected he twisted his way into the box, played a on-two with Jae Sharkey and smashed the return pass into the back of the net. Owen Harris got a fourth for Saints which was deserved for his work rate, but again a Launton struck back. A quick throw inside Saints left back Damien Dean, allowed Launton's captain Ben Dyer to smash his shot inside the far post, but just before the break Jae Sharkey got his second to make it 5-2 at half time.
A more resolute Launton took to the pitch for the second half, which meant that the Saints defence saw alot more action. David "Booey" Hook playing at centre half alongside Jason Hallatt didn't put a foot wrong and on more than one occasion got that vital final touch to deny the Launton forwards. Ryan Smith was also busier in thesecond half but also dealt with anything that came his way and also linked up well with Owen Harris. Mark Lewis and Kyle Harris came off the bench to make their debuts and it was the latter who neatly played in Smith allowing him to bag his brace and make the final score 6-2 and capping off a fine performance for Martin Woodward.
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