Presteigne serve up a Halloween treat

Presteigne St Andrews treated their supporters at Halloween to a first competitive victory over Hay St Mary's during this decade after defeating the Watson Financial Mid Wales League (South) champions 4-1 at Llanandras Park.

The Saints were missing a number of regulars from their matchday squad but started brightly as Charlie Ward directed a header narrowly over the crossbar.

However, the hosts opened the scoring three minutes later when Aiden Rhodes drove into the penalty area and his strike deflected off Gabe Moore to beat Hay St Mary's goalkeeper Tom Lewis at his near post.

The former Kington Town keeper had to be alert in the 15th minute to make a smart save with his legs after Sam Roberts was picked out in space in the penalty area.

Hay St Mary's responded less than 60 seconds later when Haydn Morgan's effort was deflected behind.

Lewis made an important double save to deny Niall Rhodes when he broke through on goal in the 24th minute prior to Hayden Weale's effort being blocked less than 60 seconds later.

The lead was doubled when Liam Tomkins headed home at the near post from Weale's 26th-minute corner.

Aiden Rhodes picked-up the ball in midfield and drove towards goal five minutes later but directed his 25-yard strike wide.

Niall Rhodes was found by a through ball, but his low shot was saved by Lewis.

Tomkins headed over from a 36th minute corner before Aiden Rhodes was denied by a well-timed challenge from Moore when he broke into the penalty area.

Aiden Rhodes fired an effort wide in the 43rd minute prior to Morgan going close with a 25-yard free-kick for the visitors.

Hay St Mary's felt that Morgan was fouled by Shay Sterry when the Presteigne St Andrews custodian keeper away a 47th-minute corner before Tam Emmett struck the woodwork.

The Saints were pushing to get back into the game, and Taylor Maddy went close with a low shot.

Presteigne responded when Kieran Lusher was picked out by a through ball, but he directed his shot into the side netting.

Roberts went close and was then denied by the legs of Lewis.

Weale fired an effort wide from the edge of the penalty area in the 66th minute after dispossessing an opponent before the East Radnor outfit extended their advantage three minutes later when Aiden Rhodes ran on to a well-timed pass before rounding Lewis and turning the ball into an unguarded net.

Weale's strike was deflected behind for a corner in the 74th minute before Presteigne St Andrews added a fourth goal when substitute Merv Stephens converted a penalty after Ed Walkden had brought down Jude Horton.

Maddy was denied by Sterry from the edge of the penalty area in the 78th minute before the home keeper made a full-length save four to keep out Ward's 20-yard strike.

Roberts broke into the Saints' penalty area in the 84th minute but was denied by a smart save from Lewis.

Hay St Mary's, who had won the reverse encounter 1-0 in early September, netted a consolation goal three minutes later when Ward squared the ball across the face of goal for Maddy to convert.

However, their hosts had already done enough to secure victory and remain in touching distance of the leading pack with a game in hand.