Presteigne Reserves bounced back from their disappointing showing at Penybont United on Saturday afternoon to beat visiting Sennybridge 5-2 in their Mid Wales League (South) match at Llanandras Park.
The defeat at the Racecourse ground was clearly a wake-up call at Barry Williams’ side had the game won by half-time as they had opened up a four-goal lead. Callum Matthews, Alan Stocker – with two – and Tom Watkins were on target.
Barry admitted the squad took the foot off the gas a bit in the second half and Sennybridge got one back, but Presteigne’s response was immediate as Callum Matthews finished off a move for his second of the afternoon. Sennybridge then picked up a second consolation goal on 70 minutes.
CP Llanandras also had cause for celebration as they drew 1-1 at home to Penybont United on the John Beddoes School field – the same Penybont United that had beaten the Reserves 24 hours earlier.
Penybont scored about 10 minutes from time to take the lead, but Llanandras stuck at it and Corin Jones’ cross-shot right at the death earned them a point from a 1-1 draw.
As the game was doubling up as a Newcastle Cup first-round tie the game then went to penalties and CP Llanandras manager Andy Crowe was full of praise for the way in which his side kept its composure.
Maurice Murphy saved two ‘bont spot kicks while the visitors then blazed over the bar as the home side ran out 3-1 winners in the shoot-out.
The Newcastle Cup semi-finals will be held on Sunday 28 March when both ties will be played on the same day, with one kicking off at 2.00pm and one at 5.00pm.
Detailed match reports on the Sunday games will appear on the site at some stage on Monday 8 February.