Newcastle just shaded an exciting Mid Wales League (South) fixture against Presteigne Reserves at Llanandras Park on Tuesday, 5 March.
Given the south Shropshire club had beaten Alan Stocker’s side 4-1 in the first meeting between the sides on 16 February, there was every chance they would pose a stiff test in this one.
If you factored in that the game at Newcastle was also the Reserves’ last outing, then there was always likely to be some element of rustiness to their play.
Newcastle opened up a two-goal lead in this one but then, in the second half, Tom Crichton threatened to spoil their party as he netted twice for the home side – the second one reportedly from around 30 yards.
But Newcastle had the final say as they notched a third goal to claim all three points.
The Reserves will need to put this one behind them quickly as they will be back at Llanandras Park on Saturday, 9 March when they will host Hay St Mary’s in the quarter-finals of the Pip Samuel (Electrical) Mid Wales League (South) Cup.
But no doubt they will be better for having had a game under their belts – after all, after three weeks without a game it was always likely to be a big ask to hit the ground running.
Given there is no fixture for the first team for the foreseeable future, it’s hoped everyone will get behind the Reserves for Saturday’s tie.
The winners of the quarter-final can look forward to a trip to either Builth Wells Reserves or Llanidloes Town Reserves in the last four.