Brecon Corries 3 Merthyr Saints 2
The festive season often provides clubs with local derby fixtures, and this afternoon was no different as Corries beat local rivals Merthyr Saints in a five-goal thriller.
The South Wales Alliance takes a break for the next two weekends, after the completion of last weekend’s fixtures, but this afternoon Brecon Corries welcomed one of their nearest rivals to Rich Field.
Plying their trade in the South Wales FA region means most of the Corries’ opponents travel from far and wide to play them, but the Saints had a relatively short journey over the Brecon Beacons this afternoon.
The hosts have experienced somewhat of an inconsistent campaign in the league so gar this term. Brecon Corries found themselves in the lower reaches of the Premier Division table, despite having recorded a welcome 1-0 home success over high-flying Pontyclun a fortnight ago. The reverse fixture against the same opponents was postponed last week due to the weather.
The host club has been enjoying an excellent run in the FAW Trophy to set up a last 16 tie at the students of Team Swansea in the new year.
Merthyr Saints found themselves one point clear of local rivals Penydarren at the head of the table, but could have been overtaken by third-placed Pontyclun if they won their games in hand. The Saints recorded a 5-1 victory at AFC Butetown in their previous outing after last Saturday’s home encounter with Sully Sports fell victim to the inclement conditions.
The league leaders started strongly with an eighth minute shot on the edge of the Corries’ penalty area held by Steve Price, before the custodian came out to block a Saints striker that had latched on to a well-placed through ball.
The hosts’ first real opportunity arrived on the quarter-hour mark, but they headed wide from a cross on the left following a quick break.
Brecon Corries went ahead in the 35th minute when Dale Evans header from a free-kick on the right looped over the visitors’ goalkeeper and found the top corner of the Saints’ goal.
The visitors responded strongly in the closing stages of the opening period but could not find the vital equaliser.
Saints broke from a corner in the 40th minute and eventually lobbed Price, but the ball dropped just wide of the Corries’ goal.
Three minutes later, the former Hay St Mary’s keeper had to smother a close-range after a free-kick from the left was headed into the hosts’ penalty area.
Saints struck the side netting from a narrow angle seven minutes after the interval, before Brian Keddle latched onto a long clearance five minutes later, rounding the goalkeeper and tucking into an empty net.
The Corries nearly extended their lead on the hour mark but could not apply the vital touch to a low cross along the face of goal.
The third goal arrived five minutes later as Jack Evans headed home a free-kick from the left touchline and Brian Keddle nearly netted again, seeing his 25-yard free-kick clip the top of the crossbar.
Saints pulled an effort wide of the target in the 82nd minute when a cross from the right was headed downwards, but they did score five minutes later after Corries failed to clear the ball from their penalty area.
The visitors created a nervous climax when the ball was forced home from a 92nd minute corner, but the hosts held on for an important victory the leaders and local rivals.