Presteigne St Andrews FC came within minutes of taking a point against Spar Mid Wales League, second-division leaders, Kerry at Llanandras Park on Saturday, 11 February.
On the balance of play, Kerry were good value for their 2-1 victory, but they knew they had been in a game against a determined and dogged Presteigne side.
The home side drew first blood when a free kick on the right was whipped in and Owen Williams was on hand to profit after the visiting keeper was unable to hang on to it.
Kerry’s linesman flagged for offside but was over-ruled by the referee and so the goal stood – referee Chris Corfield appeared in no doubt.
There is a brief video – no sound – of the goal that can be viewed by clicking here or on the image at the top of the page.
But Kerry enjoyed more than their fair share of possession in the first half and Presteigne were indebted to both the woodwork and goalkeeper Simon Hamer who made a number of good saves to preserve that lead.
When the Kerry equaliser game it was in bizarre circumstances and it was to prove a harsh lesson for Presteigne defender Dan Farmer.
Dan clearly felt he had been repeatedly fouled when trying to defend a situation inside the Presteigne penalty area but took matters into his own hands – literally – by essentially trying to pick up the ball.
Referee Chris Corfield was left with no option but to point to the spot and Kerry duly levelled to make it 1-1 at the break.
Kerry dominated possession in the second half but Presteigne dug in with Danny Evans and Anthony ‘Rambo’ Vernalls in particular putting in impressive shifts.
Simon Hamer also produced further good saves while Kerry were guilty of wasting good opportunities when in the attacking third.
But just when it looked as though the home side was going to hang on for a point, Kerry broke down the right-hand side and a low centre was turned home from close range for what proved to be the winner.
Presteigne forced a couple of corners in the dying stages of the game but, in all honesty, they didn’t seriously trouble the visiting goalkeeper and Kerry saw out the game to take the three points.
Clearly, Presteigne will be disappointed to have come away with nothing from the game, but they proved that, on their day, they can live with the better sides in the league.
It was good to see David Watkins back in a Presteigne shirt – he made a late appearance as a substitute and admitted afterwards it had been a taxing return on what was a very heavy pitch!