Wasteful Saints are finally through with extra-time winner

Saints go into the draw for the second round of the FA Vase after edging an extra-time win over Wednesfield

Despite several absentees – including captain Myles Jones – manager Quentin Townsend was still able to name a strong squad and there were enough chances to put the match to bed in normal time.

Saints dominated the opening period with the first chance falling to Lee Thomas in the seventh minute but his shot from a Bridges cross was blocked.

Visiting keeper Danny Thornton comfortably dealt with an in-swinging Thomas corner from the right before Callum Yeates thumped a shot over the bar.

Central defender Shane Ranford was booked for handball in the 16th minute before Bridges put another effort wide and Pawel Tomczak saw his shot blocked for a corner.

Wednesfield went down to 10 men when, in the 29th minute, Ranford was booked for a second time following a foul on Jamie Hatfield.

The Saints midfielder limped through to half-time but he was then replaced by Andy Yeates.

Tomzcak went close again nine minutes into the second half with a header that was cleared off the line, before Thornton denied Thomas a scoring chance, just beating him to a good through-ball from Brad Rees.

Andy Yeates set up Bridges but still a goal wouldn’t come.

Townsend made a double substitution in the 64th minute, bringing on striker Oli Manoochehri and midfielder Matty Wyatt.

More chances came Saints’ way, including Wyatt going close with a header from a corner, but it was Manoochehri who had the best of all, shooting over with just four minutes to go.

Tom Cooper was injured in a tackle on substitute Tom Horton, earning himself a booking in the process, before another Wyatt header went too close to Thornton, who saved comfortably.

Bridges gave Saints the lead early in extra time, although it needed some good work from the player-of-the-match Tom Copper to keep the visitors at bay as they pressed for an equaliser.

Manoocheri and Tomczak had clear chances to put the result beyond doubt, but both fluffed their lines, before Bridges missed another easy opportunity, finishing tamely.

In the end, one goal was enough to take Saints on and collect the winner’s prize money of £600.

Tomorrow, they resume their league campaign when they travel to Nuneaton Griff.