Saints Best Marines in Season Finale

St Athan finished their season on a high with a 6-0 victory over bottom side Island Marine.

Josh Morgan notched a brace with Richie Humphreys, James Austin, Aaron Rogers and Sean Wilkin adding the other goals.

The win sees Saints leap frog rivals Wenvoe by one point to finish runners up in the Vale of Glamorgan AFL Premier Division two points behind Champions Cardiff Airport who clinched the title in their final game on Thursday.

St Athan began this game well and produced some early pressure. The sustained pressure ended paying off as Jordan Mortimore saw his low shot well saved resulting in a corner. Josh Morgan’s corner, rebounded off the cross bar for Richie Humphreys to head Saints in front.

Saints were playing decent football in spurts and doubled their lead following one of those.

Humphreys picked the ball up at the back and played it into Rogers who fed full back Ashton, he in turn slipped the ball to Mortimore on the right and his low cross was flicked back across the goal by Morgan for James Austin to head in the second goal.

St Athan probed for more goals and Rogers saw a stinging long range effort narrowly wide and Mortimore’s had volley was well palmed away by the away keeper.

Island Marine played football that did not suggest they propped up the division, looking to play neat and expansive football from the back.

The away side carved out a few opportunities toward the end of the half, a chipped effort narrowly over and two efforts wide of the target.

St Athan, however, furthered their lead just before half time. Morgan whipped in a free kick which dropped to Rogers to side foot in.

Saints went in 3-0 up and in control.

Island Marine came out for second half looking to get back into the game but couldn’t create a clear cut chance.

Saints fired back and Mortimore headed Morgan’s corner inches wide.

St Athan soon extended their lead with provider Morgan getting on the scoresheet. Paul Lucas’ ball from goal was met by the opposition right back, Morgan charged down his clearance and raced away down the left, one on one with the keeper and lifted it over the stopper with aplomb and a fine finish.

St Athan drove on for more and Nicky Cox’s quick throw caught the away defence napping and Sean Wilkin cut in from the left to slide the ball in with a cool finish.

Saints were in the firm ascendancy now and Morgan’s defence cutting pass put Tony Pugh who drew a good stop from the keeper.

Island Marine continued to search for a consolation and saw a header wide from a free kick.

St Athan, however, rounded off the scoring when Austin released Morgan down the left with an excellent pass and Morgan made no mistake for his second of the game.

So another season comes to an end and St Athan can be very proud of their endeavours this season with in two points of a league title, joint top scorers and least conceded (with rivals Wenvoe). St Athan will look to consolidate in the summer and to improve on this good campaign next season.

St Athan: Lucas, Ashton (Cox on 50), L.Lewis (Geldard on 55), Humphreys, Garrison, Rogers, Austin, Pugh, Morgan, Wilkin, Mortimore (Laing on 64).

Meanwhile the second team came back from two goals down to draw 3-3 with Island Marine B. A last second equaliser denying Saints B all three points. Colin George got a double with Craig Howells also registering. St Athan B now have three games remaining in division two as they eye a top five finish.

St Athan B: McDonald, Hughes, J.Howells, Richards, Cleave, Wolfe, Campbell, Stock, Young, George, C.Howells. Sub – Williams.

We’d like to thank those who came out to support us and our sponsors, Owens Motor Services, Llandow, Diving & Marine Engineering, Green Future Landscaping, Llantwit Valet & Car Wash and both the Three Horseshoes & The Four Bells pubs in St Athan.

HD

Start a Conversation

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *