STM Sports 4-1 Bridgend Street: Mellons promoted after second-half showing against Street

STM Sports have been promoted to the FAW Championship after beating City rivals Bridgend Street.

Second-half goals from Andy Gardner, Lamin Conteh and Ricardo Mackenzie put STM Sports on their way after Street’s Nick Berry cancelled out Marcus Jones’ opener.

Street competed with the Mellons for an hour but Dale Gardiner’s men hit their stride once Gardner restored Sports’ lead. 

STM benefitted from a positive start when they drew first blood early on. Marcus Jones buried a left footed off the crossbar for the opening goal. 

They continued to pile the pressure on the Street defence and they managed to withstand the storm. 

Street’s goal came from an uncleared corner kick. STM failed to clear their lines and Nick Berry struck from close-range after taking the ball on the bounce.

STM began to get back into their attacking verve in the second half. Damien Lack was forced to tip over Chris Worsley’s effort.

Attacking full-back Ricardo Mackenzie set up Lamin Conteh for an opportunity but a diving save from Lack denied him. Calum Bateman scored on the rebound but was judged to be offside.

Street had the chance to pull ahead as Paul Fowler’s free-kick found Murphy but the midfielder fired over from close-range as he miscalculated Fowler’s setpiece.

STM regained their lead just over the hour mark. Joe Evans pinpoint cross found the head of Andy Gardner who left Lack front footed. 

From Gardner’s goal, STM continued to pepper the Street goal. Lack made a fine save to deny Marcus Jones a second after a mazy run from Hermon Yohanes. Lamin Conteh missed on the rebound after attempting an overhead kick. 

Conteh had another opportunity as he used his pace down the flank but his attempt from a tight angle was blocked by Lack.

Into the final ten minutes, STM pinned Street into their own half as they sought an insurance goal. Marcus Jones had a shot which went agonisingly wide of the goal.

Conteh who had a number of chances on the night finally delivered. His run was untracked by the Street defence and his laced shot deflected off the post to ensure victory.

As Street conceded defeat, they shipped a further goal after being carved open. A dauntless run from Mackenzie paid off as he forced Lack to commit before slotting into an empty net.

Substitute Michael Ball was introduced and had almost netted. Twice fellow substitute Josh Graham tried to find him but the ball missed him by just a few inches on both occasions.

A final effort of the game saw Jones denied a brace as Lack made a smart save.

STM cruised to victory after a dominant second-half showing and were thus promoted to the FAW Championship.

STM Sports: Dimonekene, Yohanes, Mackenzie, C.Hajgato, G.Hajgato (Hodges 72), Gardiner, Evans, Jones, Bateman (Graham 59) Worsley, Conteh (Bull 87) 

Bridgend Street: Lack, Benkorichi, Gulley, Berry, Nessbert, Carro, Brooks (Caseres 75), Fowler (C), Smith (Jones 75), Martin (Burge 66), Murphy