After an encouraging start to the MMP with Norman Lloyd league season Presteigne St Andrews FC will be back at Llanandras Park on Saturday, 18 August.
They will take on a Waterloo Rovers side that is back at this level of football after a spell away during which time they played in the Montgomeryshire Amateur League.
As with so many clubs in recent times, Waterloo ran into problems with finding enough players to be competitive at the level so they took the difficult decision to pull out of the then Spar Mid Wales League in the run up to the season.
But now they are back – a fourth-place finish in the JT Hughes Montgomeryshire Amateur League first division was enough as the league was won by Bishops Castle – who are currently not allowed to be promoted due the fact they are an English club – while Guilsfield Reserves finished third.
The clue there is in the name – they are a Reserve side so are not allowed to be promoted to this level.
Incidentally, taking nothing away from Waterloo Rovers who are a good club with a nice set up but, if I were Bishops Castle, I would be looking very hard at the fact that the Scottish Challenge Cup incorporates teams from Wales, England and Northern Ireland.
So, if that competition allows cross-border participation…. just saying.
Anyway, Bishops Castle’s loss was Waterloo’s gain and it’s good to see them back at this level.
Rovers’ start this season hasn’t been too shabby – a 3-3 draw at Montgomery Town in the week was preceded by an opening-day 1-1 draw at home to a Rhayader Town side many are expecting to be there or thereabouts come the pointy end of the season.
So this could be another good test of Shaun Harris’ side as the manager himself appreciates.
“We are expecting another hard game against Waterloo who themselves have had a good start having played out two draws against good opposition.”
The kick off at Llanandras Park will be at 2.30pm while the admission prices will be £3.00 for adults; £1.50 for senior citizens and £1.00 for youngsters under the age of 16.