Gwent County League

Caldicot Castle 1 West of St Julians 1

CALDICOT Castle were the only local club in League action this weekend with Mathern, Blackrock and Sudbrook playing cup-ties and Rockfield enjoying a weekend off.

Castle’s manager Alex Hart was without three of his top goal scorers but was happy with a point at home against West of St Julians.

“I believe we need to be targeting wins against promotion rivals at home,” he said.

“It was another mature performance against a very good side and I was happy with the performance and the character shown by the side.”

After an even first 10 minutes, the visitors took the lead and although Castle had chances to equalise, James Reid’s shot hit a post after a good move involving Rick Wood and James McKeon.

“We changed our formation in the second half and restricted their defenders from bringing the ball out,” Hart continued.

“This gave us more possession and although both teams had chances, we were able to convert one to earn the point.

“Nathan Davies’ header was parried by their keeper but James McKeon followed up to put the rebound away.

“Both sides went for the win from then on but neither of us was able to grab all three points. A draw was probably the fair result.”

Meanwhile Sudbrook CC lost 2-1 to Division 2 side Clydach Wasps.

“We had a few key players out due to illness but the second teamers we called up played excellently,” said Sudbrook manager Daryl Cann.

“The scoreline doesn’t do justice to our dominance – especially in the first half – when we had a number of clear-cut chances to score but failed to put them away.

“Keenan Perrett broke the deadlock on 20 minutes and we led at the break.

“The narrow lead was always going to be hard to defend and we had to defend for most of the second half and second team keeper Richard Aggett denied Wasps an equaliser with brilliant saves until the 70th minute when they levelled and then they won it in the last few minutes.

“It was a great team effort so there are positives to take out of the defeat.”

Sudbrook travel to play West of St Julians this Saturday while Castle visit Wattsville and Blackrock entertain Penygarn & Trevethin.