PRESTEIGNE 3, NEWTOWN RES 2
Presteigne kicked off the new Spar Mid Wales League season with an exciting narrow midweek victory over the defending champions.
Tim Broome’s side forged a three goal interval lead in front of a big Wednesday night crowd but then saw the youthful Robins, themselves also much changed from last season, hit back after the break.
After Newtown’s Dan Dawson had tested Luke Brimfield, it was Presteigne who took a sixth minute lead with debutant Sam Williams rounding keeper Dave Maguire from Luke Boundford’s throughball.
The visitors’ Grant Darling shaved the post from 20 yards and Luke Evans blazed over after breaking clear.
A goalline clearance from Michael Collister denied Presteigne’s Danny Tolley while Jed Rodway went close for the Robins.
Presteigne extended their lead on the half hour when Maguire’s clearance ricocheted into the net off a defender when Williams chased Glen Tolley’s through ball.
And when Williams was brought down on the edge of the box, Glen Tolley showed his class with a wonderful free-kick which looked as though it would put the game to bed.
Presteigne deserved to be ahead at half time but three goals was a little hard on Newtown.
The second half failed to live up to the first and Newtown reduced the deficit on 64 minutes with sub Nick Mumby netting after Brimfield had denied Darling.
Richard Rees had a fierce drive beaten out by Brimfield and Darling headed over but Presteigne looked to have weathered the storm.
That was until ex-Newbridge midfielder Collister struck with a superb free-kick on the 90 minute mark which gave Presteigne five anxious minutes of stoppage time.