Hay St Mary's off to a flying start

Hay St Mary's commenced the defence of their Watson Financial Mid Wales League (South) title with a 5-0 victory over last season's runners-up, Rhayader Town Reserves, under the Forest Road floodlights.

The hosts made a bright start as captain Jack Cook ran on to a third-minute through ball but his shot was turned behind for a corner by Casey Hanby.

Hay defender Joe Metcalfe was picked out in space in the penalty area five minutes later, but his shot was blocked.

Rhayader responded in the 10th minute when Owain Rowlands latched on to a through ball but was unable to keep his shot under the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area.

Tam Emmett directed a header wide of the target from a 15th minute cross prior to Noah Smith's effort being deflected wide of the target from a tight angle less than 60 seconds later. Adam Corbett's 20th-minute drive from the edge of the penalty area was blocked before Dave Thomas went close with a 25-yard free-kick.

Freddie Price headed over the crossbar after a 33rd minute corner was not cleared by the Red Kites' defence prior to Sam Crumpton directing a shot straight at Sam Powell in the Hay goal.

Rhayader went close to taking the lead in the 37th when Ben Jackman shot narrowly wide of the far post from an acute angle.

The Saints broke the deadlock two minutes before the interval when Charlie Ward latched on to an Edward Bird through ball before firing a low shot past Hanby in the Red Kites' goal. The hosts nearly doubled their advantage within two minutes of the restart, but Emmett was unable to keep his drive from the edge of the penalty area on target.

Rhayader looked to hit back in the opening minute of the second-half when Rowlands' shot from the edge of the penalty area was deflected behind for a corner.

The champions doubled their advantage in the 48th minute when Ward's cross-shot from on the right touchline flew over the head of Hanby and found its way under the crossbar.

The former Penybont United keeper made a smart save to deny former Talgarth Town player Bean Warry after being picked out by Ward nine minutes later.

Bird picked-up the ball in the 59th minute and drove forward, but his 25-yard strike fizzed narrowly over the crossbar.

He threatened again five minutes later with another effort that flew over the crossbar.

Hay increased their advantage in the 67th minute when Thomas's 25-yard free-kick was not held by Hanby and Ward eventually forced the ball over the line from close-range in the ensuing melee to complete his hat-trick.

A fourth goal was added to the tally eight minutes later when Dylan Gough was picked out in space by Emmett before driving into the penalty area and lifting the ball over Hanby.

Gough broke into the Red Kites' penalty area in the 82nd minute. but directed his effort wide of the target prior to Daniel Montejo-Gillespie's shot from 12 yards being blocked.

The scoring was completed in the sixth minute of stoppage-time when Adam Corbett empathically headed home from a Cook corner to kickstart the Saints' championship defence in style.

Hay St Mary's built open this victory by defeating St Harmon 1-0 at Forest Road, courtesy of a Albert Wearn goal, to maintain their winning start to the new campaign.