Presteigne St Andrews are still on the hunt for their first league point of the Spar Mid Wales League first division season after they went down 7-2 in their match at defending champions Penparcau.
A goal down early on, Presteigne hit back to level through Connor Bird before falling 2-1 behind. They then reportedly had a stonewall penalty appeal waved away and fell 3-1 down before the interval, although the general view was that 2-2 might have been a fairer reflection of the scoreline.
Penparcau netted again soon after the interval to make it 4-1 but Presteigne stuck at it and Joel Layton scored his second in as many outings to make it 4-2. But that was as good as it got for the visitors as Penparcau scored three more before the end to run out convincing winners.
The Reserves must have known they were likely to be up against it in their home game against Rhayader Town Reserves at Llanandras Park – after all, the visitors arrived with a record of 10 wins from 10 games in the Mid Wales League (South) so far this season.
Although the visitors went on to make it 11 from 11 – they certainly knew they had been in a game as Andy Crowe’s side more than played their part in what was a highly entertaining game.
Rhayaders’ second string were ultimately good value for the win – after all, they scored twice without reply – but if the Reserves are to take a lesson from this it has to be two-fold. Firstly, when you get within range, take a shot… and secondly, discipline is key.
Referee Jeff Beamond didn’t endear himself to all of the faithful at Llanandras Park (but then which referee does?), but he got the major decisions right – there can be no argument, for example, over the bookings of Mike Lewis and Jack Bowen.
There can certainly be no disputing the red card for Alan Stocker. Admittedly, it was out of character for ‘Stocks’ but he admitted afterwards he had got away with one when raising his hands to a Rhayader player (albeit under provocation) for which he received only a yellow card – but, to do the same thing 90 seconds later was always going to be asking for trouble.
Jeff Beamond was left with no option – and Stocker was on his way. While it was too late in the game to have any major bearing on the outcome, there are lessons to be learned there as he became the second Presteigne Reserves player to be red-carded in as many weeks.
There will be more detailed match reports up on the site at some stage on either Sunday 17 or Monday 18 October.