Presteigne Reserves came from two goals down in the final quarter of their Mid Wales League (South) game at Hay St Mary’s Reserves to seal a dramatic 3-2 victory.
The game – on Friday, 24 August – was the Reserves’ opening league fixture of the season and managers Alan Stocker and Mark Weiland had been keen to get off to a good start.
Mark admitted they had done it the hard way, but was delighted by the character shown by the squad.
“We came out the blocks fast and got the ball down and played some really good football,” said Mark.
”That was disrupted a bit when, 15 minutes into the game, a strong but fair tackle from Robin Baker resulted in the Hay lad reacting and they had a bit of a roll round on the floor.
“Robin was unlucky but the refereee was right to send them both off.
“Hay keeper Tom Bevan then produced 2 brilliant saves to deny Nigel Duggan and Billy Hyett.
“Hay did come more into the game as the half went on and Toby Devaraux made a brilliant save to keep it 0-0 half time.
“Tom Lewis was denied from another good save from Bevan but Hay then broke away and scored while they then grabbed a second – to be fair it was a great finish after we lost the ball cheaply.
“Our heads didn’t drop though and. with 12 minutes, left Tom Lewis started the comeback after he was picked out by a through ball and he placed it into the top corner.
“We had the momentum then and Hay could see this – they were trying to slow the game down like anyone else would.
“We equalised after a through ball from Shane Griffiths found Billy Hyett who hit it first time from the edge of the box into the top corner – the dip he got on the ball was unreal.
“We could sense Hay were a bit in shock and we carried on attacking leading to us winning a corner.
“Tom Lewis crossed it in and Gareth Bull met it with a bullet header to score.
“With two minutes to play, Hay has a free kick which was swung in with pace and in the wet conditions Toby claimed it safely.
“The final whistle went and the lads were over the moon.
“We didn’t once get our heads down after conceding and we showed great team spirit with that comeback.
”Stocks and I really wanted to start with a win and the way we achieved it will give the lads massive confidence.
“We move onto to rivals Knighton on Tuesday and the games come thick and fast after that so hopefully we can build on last nights win.”