Smith hat-trick kills off Griff as matches come thick and fast

With no let-up in their hectic end-of-season schedule, Saints played their fourth match in eight days at Blackwood on Thursday, when a Ryan Caputo goal on the stroke of half-time gave them a 1-0 win.

They followed this up with a trip to Atherstone Town on Saturday and looked like extending their unbeaten run to five matches when Tom Leaver had brought them level in the second half, but a last-minute strike from David Yonwin gave the home side a 2-1 win.

At The Pingles on Bank Holiday Monday, a penalty from Chris Murphy gave Saints the lead at half-time and they put the match beyond doubt in the second half with a hat-trick from leading scorer Simeon Smith giving them a 4-1 win.

Manager Lee Knibbs was again full of praise for his players who have continued to show big commitment in the face of a demanding fixture list.

“It was nice to be back to winning ways after the disappointment of Saturday’s defeat at Atherstone,” said Knibbs.

“It was a good all-round performance, but I was particularly impressed with Andy Skerratt in goal and Simeon Smith scored a well-taken hat-trick.”

Tomorrow, Saints entertain Walsall Wood (3pm) before taking on Lye Town in the Birmingham County FA Midweek Floodlit Cup final at Solihull Borough on Monday (7.30pm).