It was to prove something of a mixed weekend for our two sides as the first team crashed to a heavy 6-1 defeat at Abermule in their Spar Mid Wales League, second-division game, but the Reserves underlined their potential with another fine home win.
First things first – it was a Friday-night game for Dale Tomkins’ Reserves who saw off Llanidloes Town Reserves five-two under the lights at Llanandras Park.
By all accounts this was another fine showing by the Ressies who temporarily went top of the Mid Wales League (South) as a result of this 5-2 win.
They were overhauled on Saturday by Talgarth Town who are looking like the team to beat this season after they eased past Rhayader Town Reserves 5-1 in their Saturday fixture.
But the Reserves remain unbeaten and are clearly on a great run of form although this is likely to be tested on Saturday, 8 October when they will head to Talgarth for their next game – that could be a cracker.
As for the first team, manager Tom Ammonds was forced into changes for the trip to a useful Abermule side and, when they went two goals down in the first 15 minutes, it always looked likely to be a long way back.
Presteigne were way off the pace in the first half but, had Kieron Jones’ snapshot gone in rather than just over the bar shortly before the break, then it might have been a different game.
As it was, Abermule added a third to round off a pretty awful first 45 minutes for the visitors – on the balance of play you really could not argue with the three-goal deficit at the interval.
But Presteigne lifted themselves in the early part of the second half and – playing down the slope – they posed much more of a threat.
It was no great surprise when Matt Strangwood pulled one back and there was a growing belief in the side that – if they could get the next goal – then it would be very much ‘game on’.
Sadly, they didn’t as Abermule profited from Jamie Durban failing to reach a ball he chased out of the the area to clear – the attacker rounded him and stuck the ball into the empty net.
This was unfortunate for ‘Durbs’ who had made a string of fine saves in the first half to keep Presteigne in the game.
Luke Brimfield has reinvented himself as an outfield player and was introduced as a substitute in the second period but his time on the field was brief as he was sent off when conceding a penalty.
It appeared as though Luke was rightly penalised for the penalty – no disputes over that – but he then either said something to an opponent or the referee as he was immediately shown a second yellow.
The penalty was converted and – at 5-1 down and with only 10 men – there was to be no way back.
To their credit, Presteigne kept working but Abermule were good value for their win and they posed a continual threat going forward so it was no surprise when they added a sixth goal
It’s important Presteigne put this one down to experience and look to put it right in 10 days time when they will host Aberystwyth University on Tuesday, 11 October (kick off: 7.30pm).
But, before that, it is League Cup action when the first team will host Carno on Friday, 7 October (kick off: 7.30pm).