MATHERN moved up to fourth place in Division 2 with a hard-fought 3-1 victory at home to Ynysddu Welfare.

In a match full of incidents, two of the visitors' managerial staff were sent from the sidelines by the referee for comments made in the first half and watched the match from the clubhouse patio.

"Within minutes of the first whistle it was evident that this was going to be a very physical game," explained Mathern boss Dean Thomas.

"We played a high-tempo, passing game and dominated the first half."

Without injured keeper Harrison Prettyjohns and his brother Rory, as well as joint top scorer Richard Wood, Oli Aleman took over between the posts and Elliot Greening took over upfront with Alex Jarman and Connor Hayden on the wings.

"Alex Bell opened the scoring with a great right-foot strike," Thomas added.

"The second half was much the same with us having most of the play but not finishing them off.

"Alex Jarman scored the second goal to give us some breathing space but, as often happens, we were caught on the break and Ynysddu halved the deficit with a goal that looked offside.

"Richie Rees came off the bench to set up Jarman for his second to clinch the victory.

"We are away to Cefn Forest on Saturday where we expect another tough game."

Meanwhile, Blackrock Rovers drew 2-2 at home to Spencer Youth in an evenly-fought contest, according to Rovers manager Paul Lovell.

"We had three good chances in the first half but some poor finishing meant it was scoreless at the break," he said.

Spencer Youth took advantage of poor defending to take a 2-0 lead but Rovers earned a vital point in a late flurry.

"Kieron Nesbitt pulled one back with an expertly-placed free kick on the edge of the box and after skipper Jamie Watkins was brought down by Youth's keeper, Ben Smith equalised from the spot," Lovell added.