Presteigne Reserves bowed out of the J Emrys Morgan Cup when they were beaten 6-2 by Caersws Reserves in their semi-final tie at Rhayader Town FC on Wednesday, 26 March.
Thing started brightly for Mark Weiland’s side as they took a first-half lead when Duane Anning was upended by the Caersws goalkeeper and ‘Weedo’ himself stepped up to score from the penalty spot.
There was much discussion in the stands as to whether or not the Caersws keeper should have been sent off for the challenge, but the referee decided a yellow card was enough.
Caersws responded well and had turned things around by half-time as they scored twice to go in 2-1 up at the interval.
A phone conversation between myself – in a car driving through Leominster – and the chairman – in the stand at Rhayader – concluded that the next goal would be very important, and so it proved.
Caersws got it and – at 3-1 down – it was always going to be a long way back for the Reserves from there on in.
This was how it proved as the Montgomeryshire side went on to put the icing on the cake by adding a further three goals to open out a 6-1 lead.
Presteigne Reserves did have the final say when Oliver Jones netted our second goal of the night, but that was as good as it got and so it’s Caersws Reserves who will head through to the final.
Our congratulations to them – yes, people might debate the possible sending off of the goalkeeper, but the scoreline would suggest that they were very much deserved winners on the night and we wish them all the best in the final.
As for Mark and his Reserves squad, they will be left to reflect on what has been a tremendous run in the J Emrys Morgan Cup this season – our best run for years.
They will also know they have to put this behind them quickly as they are back into league action on Saturday, 29 March when they will face an important game at Sennybridge.