It was a red-letter day for Presteigne St Andrews FC on Saturday, 10 December as both sides recorded encouraging wins that should help them build into the Christmas period.
The first team picked up a very welcome victory as they saw off visiting Four Crosses by four goals to one in their Spar Mid Wales League, second-division game at Llanandras Park.
Josh Gardner stole the headlines in this one as he netted a hat-trick while Justin Davies was also on target.
Presteigne started brightly with Josh Gardner firing narrowly wide of the far post in the opening minutes of the game.
He then opened Presteigne’s account after around 10 minutes with Justin Davies doubling the advantage 60 seconds later.
Josh was on target again before the break as the first team seized control of the game and seemed well on course for a comfortable victory.
But credit to Four Crosses, they lifted their game after the break and spent much of the second period camped inside the Presteigne half.
In fact, if the visitors had taken even half of the good chances they created in the second half then this would have been a much tighter affair.
Simon Hamer made a good stop when a Four Crosses player was through one-on-one with him, but the visitors then got back into the game when they score around midway though the second period.
At the other end, a rare Preseigne breakaway led to the Four Crosses keeper making a fine save with his legs when Josh Gardner again got free.
But Josh was to have the final say when he was well found by an Alan Stocker through ball and he rounded the keeper to wrap up the points.
This was a very welcome win for Tom Ammonds’ side although even the most one-eyed Presteigne fan would probably agree the 4-1 scoreline flattered the home side.
But, a win’s a win and well done to everyone connected with the squad.
Similarly, the Reserves had a great day as they came away from Builth Wells Reserves with all three points courtesy of a 3-2 victory at Lant Field.
Tom Crichton was on target twice for Dale Tomkins’ side who are now firmly back in the mix, although their win at Builth coupled with Talgarth Town’s 7-0 home win over Llandrindod Wells Reserves means Talgarth are now seven points clear at the top.
The Reserves will be back in action on Wednesday, 14 December when they will host Hay St Mary’s Reserves in a league match at Llanandras Park when the kick off will be at 7.30pm.