Tom Weaver marshalling Presteigne’s Glen Tolley.
Kevin Jones bagged a hat-trick as The Saints moved into the last sixteen of the FAW Trophy Competition at the expense of their local rivals. Sam Williams netted twice for Presteigne.
Presteigne made the better start on Saturday and Saints keeper Stephen Price saved from Williams while Joe Price’s deflected strike was not far away. Josh Wisniewski headed against the bar from Sam Powell’s corner while the best first half chance fell to Presteigne captain, Max Powell who knows he should have done better with a header from Danny Tolley’s inviting far post free-kick.
Both teams made changes at half-time with Gary Evans replacing Tom Ammonds for Presteigne while Chris Baynton brought Tom Weaver on in place of Josh Davies and Weaver made an immediate impact as on 55 minutes he put Kevin Jones clear and the striker finished clinically with his left foot. Williams equalised on 73 mins when he went in bravely to head in from Joe Price’s cross and Presteigne then finished strongly with Price denying Williams and Mattie Davies while Chris Preece got in a timely challenge on Johnny Bird.
Sam Williams fired Presteigne in front in extra-time with an absolute screamer from 20 yards in the 92 minute after being set up by substitute Callum Matthews who was making his first team debut, but the lead lasted just two minutes as a low corner from Kevin Jones somehow sneaked past Gummer and his defenders. It was The Saints who then got what turned out to be the winner in the 99th minute and it was a goal that had quality written all over it as the hard working Wisniewski got free on the right and delivered a superb cross which was met by a bullet like header from Jones to complete his hat-trick. And Jones might have made it four in the second period but was denied by Gummer after Goodwin had surged forward having won the ball on halfway. Joe Price volleyed over from a cross by Shane Sutton and Williams fired into the sidenetting as Presteigne searched for an equaliser but The Saints stood firm to proudly take their place in the fourth round.
A great game to watch by two very evenly matched sides, if I’m honest the result could of gone either way but our boys dug deep and perhaps just wanted it a little bit more on the day.
Thanks to Alan and all at Presteigne for the hospitality before and after the game.
Team- StevePrice, Phil Davies, Chris Preece(c), Wes Evans, Gareth Jenkins, Gavin Williams, Sam Powell(Will Goodwin), Josh Davies(Tom Weaver), Steve Goodwin, Kevin Jones, Josh Wisniewski.