HAY St Mary’s will look to rebuild next season back in the MMP Central Wales League following a difficult season.

The Saints concluded their Floodlighting and Electrical Ardal South East campaign with a 3-1 defeat to Risca United at Forest Road.

The visitors broke the deadlock within five seconds of kick-off when the ball was rolled back to captain Jak Lewis and he proceeded to beat Saints custodian Rob Snedden from inside his own half of the pitch.

Risca United nearly doubled the lead two minutes later when Alfie Hutton somehow put his close-range effort wide.

The rampant Cuckoos had another good effort in the fifth minute but Lloyd Oliver was unable to keep his snapshot on target after latching on to a header by Hay St Mary's defender Matty Meredith that fell short of Snedden deputising in the Saints' goal.

After having to withstand waves of attacks from their opponents, the Hay had their first real opportunity in the 22nd minute when Jack Cripps was played through on goal, but the Saints winger could only find the side-netting after driving into the penalty area.

The Cuckoos were in no mood to sit on their one-goal advantage, with Furness heading over the target from a 24th minute free-kick.

At the opposite end Jack Biggs tried his luck from just over 30 yards out, following a poor clearance by Harry Morris in the visitor's goal, but his long-range effort drifted narrowly wide of the target.

Hay goalkeeper Snedden was forced to make two crucial saves to ensure the Saints trailed by only a single goal at the break.

Firstly, he kept out Oliver's 38th minute low shot before making a remarkable near post save to deny Arthur Furness after an inviting low cross from the right.

Risca United made a strong start to the second half and nearly doubled their advantage when Furness raced on to a long ball before finding the side-netting.

Oliver was unable to keep his 67th minute effort on target from the edge of the penalty area before Biggs had an effort turned over at the opposite end of the pitch 60 seconds later.

Risca United doubled their advantage in the 72nd minute when Logan Oldridge was found in space out on the right side of the penalty area by Furness before firing a low shot into the bottom corner of Snedden's goal.

Immediately from the restart, Biggs was played through on goal by Noah Cripps but unable to keep his effort under the crossbar.

Hay halved the deficit 10 minutes later when Noah Cripps turned the ball home from close range after Liam Macanally had seen a shot on target blocked.

However, the Cuckoos confirmed victory in the second minute of stoppage time when Leon Thomas cut back inside and beat Snedden with his low shot from within the penalty area.