Double whammy mars Four Crosses Spar return

They may have drawn 1-1 with Spar Mid Wales League newcomers Abermule on Saturday, but it could not have been a more unsettling opening day for Four Crosses.

Manager Nik Popyk has criticised Technogroup Welshpool for signing two of their players on the eve of the season, and if that wasn’t bad enough, the referee failed to show up resulting in the match kicking off at 4pm!

“I was not a very happy person I must admit last weekend,” said Popyk, who is in charge at Foxen Manor for the first time this season.

“Losing Zak Manhire and Tommy Lewis to Welshpool on Friday night and the way it happened was not a good start. I sanctioned the transfers but I believe a lot was done behind our backs which we have spoken to the Welsh FA about. We won’t be reporting it but as a club we are not happy because Welshpool have not been professional about it at all.

“Then to prepare for the match, only for the referee not to show, was a nightmare. In the end we managed to secure a referee from Morda who stepped in but it still meant we kicked off very late and there was a lot of hanging around.”

Spar Mid Wales League Secretary Phil Woosnam apologised for the blunder and said it was a mix-up due to the appointed referee not passing his FAW fitness test this season, making him ineligible to officiate.

Popyk hopes for a smoother weekend when his side makes the long journey south to Talgarth.