Presteigne St Andrews FC went down 4-0 in their MMP with Norman Evans League, second-division fixture at Waterloo Rovers on Saturday, 1 December.
It was a tough build up to the game for manager Shaun Harris who was forced to travel with pretty much the bare eleven but, to their credit, they never stopped working throughout the 90 minutes.
If Presteigne were to get a toe-hold in the game then they needed to start well but unfortunately they fell behind within the first five minutes when they failed to deal with a ball into the area and Waterloo converted from close range.
Presteigne played some attractive passing football throughout the first half and carved open a couple of good openings – a one-on-one with the home team goalkeeper being the stand-out opportunity.
But they failed to capitalise and Waterloo made them pay just before the break.
A ball down the right-hand side saw a Waterloo player hit a fierce cross-shot which Finn in the Presteigne goal did well to parry only for the rebound to drop into the path of a second Waterloo player who buried it from about eight yards out.
Two down at the break, the next goal was always going to be critical and, although Presteigne again played some good passing football, they seldom threatened to get back into the game.
When the third Waterloo goal came it was probably the highlight of the afternoon in that it was an acrobatic overhead effort into the far corner of the net.
A fine run and fierce drive made it 4-0 to Waterloo Rovers and condemned Presteigne to what was ultimately a heavy defeat.
There is no question that the home side fully deserved their win but the margin was harsh on Presteigne who played their part in the game and who definitely had their moments.
Joel Layton was at the heart of much of the good stuff in midfield for Shaun Harris’ side while there was no doubting the effort the side as a whole put in.
If there was a criticism it is that Presteigne were one-paced for much of the game.
On the odd occasion they upped the intensity they looked a far better side and they had the capability to threaten the Waterloo defence.
But this is to take nothing away from those players who traveled for this one – well done to them for turning out.
A word, too, for referee Rob Evans who let the game flow and showed welcome levels of common sense and no cards in the 90 minutes.
Also, well done to the Waterloo groundsman and his team for producing what was a very good playing surface.