Presteigne Juniors Under 17s rounded off their pre-Christmas programme with a 3-2 home defeat against Ross Juniors at Llanandras Park on Sunday, 13 December.
Joint-manager Haydn Williams admitted this had been another frustrating afternoon as his players had done enough to take at least a point from the game – if not more.
“It may sound like a broken record but everyone in the ground today – including the away manager – cannot believe we didn’t win that game against top-of-the-league, Ross Junior Colts.
“We produced a very solid first-half performance in which we created a hat-full of chances including a superb Kai Dayas free kick that hit the angle of cross bar and post, with the rebound being slotted wide.
“Josh Gardner put two agonisingly past the post, while Ross scored from their only real chance of the half to go in one up.
“In the second half, we continued to play with the same tempo and it wasn’t long before Josh Gardner levelled the scores with a neat finish following superb work from Jamie Barnett.
“Josh soon added a second with an equally clinical finish into the corner and we continued to push for that third goal but it wouldn’t come.
“With about 10 minutes remaining everybody was amazed when the referee pointed to the spot as Jack and the Ross left winger ran shoulder to shoulder into the penalty area.
“The player didn’t go down, but the ref must have seen a a foul and the penalty was despatched despite Liam getting a hand to it.
“Liam pulled off two great saves to keep the scores level but we looked the more likely to score but, with time running out, Ross got the winner when the centre forward slotted home a left-wing cross.
“This was really hard luck on the lads; again the away team coach said we were the best team they had played all season and that they were fortunate to win.”
“Onwards and upwards lads – have a great Christmas.”