East Gwent Senior League

HEAVY overnight rain washed-out most of local football’s scheduled matches at the weekend but there were plenty of goals in the four matches that survived.

With all five Gwent County League matches cancelled due to waterlogged pitches, the East Gwent Senior League took centre stage.

Each division staged two matches with Underwood SC A piling on the pressure on the top two teams with a 6-1 victory at Undy. Josh Downing scored a hat-trick, while two from Kyle Harrison and a Lee Ryder strike kept the pressure on Mathern Reserves A and Severn Tunnel A. Simon Owen grabbed Undy’s consolation.

The win puts Underwood two points behind Tunnel who have a game in hand.

Underwood boss Craig Johnson was pleased with the result, and hopes his side are able to keep their form going into the next round of fixtures.

“Hopefully, we can take this into the Gill Cup preliminary tie away to Thornwell on Saturday,” he said.

“We had a few defenders missing and it was good to see some players not only step up and fill those positions but do it very well.”

In Division Two, Mathern Reserves B enjoyed a 4-1 victory over Severn Tunnel C at Rogiet Sportsfield to join second-places Chepstow Town on 27 points, although they remain third on goal difference.

Both teams called up players from their teams, resulting in a closer-fought match.

Connor Hayden gave Mathern an early lead with Wayne Duffield and an own goal making it 3-0 at half time.

Tunnel strengthened their side during the break and mounted a 20-minute spell of pressure during which Scott Bevan reduced the deficit but Jack Stewart restored Mathern’s three-goal cushion.

Mathern boss Jeff Whitehouse was pleased with the way his team bounced back after losing heavily seven days earlier.

“Connor Hayden caused them no end of trouble before and after his excellent goal,” he said later.

“Our back four, with Rob Wood in great form and Sam Marmont marshalling the dangerous Tom Atkins well, stood firm and our new keeper Josh Carter had a good debut.

“This win puts us in a good position for this Saturday’s Centenary Cup semi-final when we take on Severn Tunnel B.”

Tunnel manager Ron Atkins saw the game in much the same way and praised young referee George Pinnell.

“It was good for all to have a good run-out,” he said.

“George had a good game keeping the game flowing and we hope he goes a long way in the game.

“It was nice to see our sub Scott Bevan get our consolation goal and pleasing to see Mathern come back to our club after the game.”