Presteigne Reserves continued their recent fine home form in the Mid Wales League (South) when they beat visiting Brecon Northcote Reserves 5-1 at Llanandras Park on Saturday, 7 October.
You can watch a video of joint-manager Mark Weiland’s thoughts on the game either by clicking here or on the image at the top of this story.
But it could have been different as there is no doubt the Reserves were the beneficiaries of some generous refereeing decisions early on.
Brecon Northcote Reserves took the lead in this one and, at that stage, it was looking as though it might be a long afternoon for Mark Weiland and Alan Stocker’s side.
But, after a hold up for a change of referee 18 minutes in, the Reserves rallied and turned the game on its head to lead 2-1 by the break.
First, Tom Crichton showed quick feet inside the area before beating the visiting keeper with a shot low to his left and then Liam Tomkins’ angled cross was met perfectly by Duane Anning’s stooping header.
You always felt the next goal was going to be important and the introduction of Josh Gardner as a substitute was to prove decisive.
Josh twice timed his runs perfectly to beat the Brecon Northcote offside traps and then twice unselfishly set up Tom Crichton as he completed his hat-trick.
Tom Lewis’ left-foot shot provided the other Presteigne Reserves goal as, in the end, it proved a comfortable win.
But there is no doubt one or two of the Presteigne squad need to take a long, hard look at themselves as – on another day with another referee – the Ressies could easily have been down to nine men before they had scored their first goal.
Had that been the case, then they could really have had no complaints at all.
But, as they always say, these things tend to even themselves out over the course of a season and no doubt there will be days when the Reserves will feel aggrieved by decisions that go against them.
Well done to Brecon Northcote Reserves who kept trying to play football right to the end and who didn’t resort to hoofing the thing the length of the field.
An honourable mention to ‘substitute referee’ Bryn Roberts for volunteering to take charge so that we saw the game through and also for the Brecon Northcote Reserves linesman who was pretty much spot on with all of his second-half decisions when we were standing behind him – and who was also a good sport into the bargain.