My thanks to Tom Ammonds for coming up with a detailed report on the opening pre-season game for Presteigne St Andrews FC in which they headed to Shobdon on Tuesday, 22 July.
“This proved to be a very entertaining game which was played in three thirty-minute sections and from the outset we should say a massive thanks to Knocker and all at Shobdon FC for their hospitality and for the game,” said Tom.
“The first thirty minutes was very difficult for us as we very few of our players had played together as this was a mixture of all players.
“Shobdon, who are in the Herefordshire League Premier Division, were too strong for us and won this third 4-0, but towards the end of that first third there were signs of our boys trying to play football.
“The second third was drawn 1-1 and we moved a few players around and we looked far more settled and for long periods we dominated play with some crisp passing football which is the aim this season.
“Liam Fletcher was our scorer and the management were slightly disappointed not to win this section of game as we missed numerous chances and limited Shobdon to very few.
“In the final third we again altered the pattern of play with a different formation, but by this time the weather had took its toll and the play had become quite slow.
“Also, with players playing in different positions it was difficult to gauge whether this worked even though we won this period through a Duane Anning goal late on.
“My overall viewing was this was a very good workout against a strong physical Shobdon side, so there were many positives as we tried continuously to pass the ball on a good playing surface
“The massive positive was that in the squad of fifteen there were at least five Under 18’s which only bodes well for the future for PSAFC and with older experienced and with older experienced players to come back in then hopefully the season will be productive for us.
“The next games are Saturday when both teams will be at home against Leominster Town’s first team and Reserves.”