Gwent County League roundup
SUDBROOK CC inflicted a second body blow in a week to Division Two leaders Wattsville at the weekend.
After ending Wattsville’s interest in the Amateur Cup with a rousing victory at Mill Lane, Sudbrook entertained the same team for a league match at the ground the players have dubbed “the snake pit!”
The three points gained in a 5-1 victory have put Sudbrook in fourth place, one point behind second and third place and only four behind the leaders with a game in hand.
Also in Division Two, Mathern moved into seventh place with a 7-0 demolition of lowly FC Tredegar in one of only three matches to survive the weather.
Elliot Greening (3), Harry Johnstone (2), Harry Lewis and Jordan Bibby were Mathern’s scorers in a game manager Lee Baker said was another sign his young team are learning how to play at this level.
“It was a very good win and we played some very good football in difficult conditions,” he said.
“The scoreline wasn’t flattering at all as we really put them to the sword early on and they just didn’t recover.
“This young side is learning every week and today was no exception. The attitude to the way we play has to be positive and in bad conditions we got the ball down and played the way we normally do.
“Harry Johnstone, Jordan Bibby and Elliott Greening are in top form at the moment and give us a good platform to build around.
“It was a great three points but we know we have to fight for everything we get, so we go on to next week.”
This Saturday Mathern entertain Abertillery Excelsiors while Sudbrook travel to take on Pill, the team immediately above them.
Meanwhile, in Division Three, only two games were played as Storm Brian blew through the area.
Underwood Athletic boss Craig Johnson moved quickly to book the 3G pitch at Caldicot Leisure Centre for the home game against Crickhowell when he realised the club’s pitch was unlikely to be fit.
His prompt action helped secure three points as his team fights to pull away from the danger zone.
Kyle Harrison (2) and Elliot Camfield clinched a 3-1 victory that boosted them to 10th place.
“It was a very tough game with the weather conditions and both teams struggled to adapt,” Johnson said later.
“We went behind but stuck to our game plan and scored twice to lead at half-time
“The second half gave Crickhowell the advantage with us playing against the wind but it was a solid defensive performance and we scored the third goal in injury time.”
At Rogiet, Severn Tunnel suffered a heavy defeat against Rogerstone, the 5-1 reverse doing damage to their goal difference column. All four teams below them did not play and Tunnel can do themselves a power of good this weekend when they travel to play one of those teams – Coed Eva Athletic – who are 14th.
Bob Cypher