East Gwent Senior League

LEADERS Mathern A continued their defence of the Division 1 title with a 13-1 demolition of Caldicot Castle A on Saturday,

Following the unexpected folding of Severn Bridge during the week, Mathern manager Lee Baker gave former Bridge player Dan Cole his debut and declared himself happy with his new signing.

“It was a good team win and Dan fitted in well,” Baker said later.

“We played really good football and scored some very good team goals.  Still a long way to go so it’s onwards and upwards.”

Wayne Duffield and Rob Wood grabbed hat-tricks with Matty Jackson, Harry Lewis, Tom Watson, Elliot Powell, Alex Watson, Kyle Gettings and Hywel Pugh scoring the others.

Bridge’s withdrawal means the other Division 1 teams will be fully occupied throughout the season rather than having a weekend off every five weeks.

Mathern now have 13 points from five matches with Underwood A second on nine points from four games and Rockfield Rovers – beaten 2-0 at Undy Athletic – are third with six points from three games.

Undy boss Andrew Peacock said he was pleased with his team’s performance.

“Rockfield were a strong, well-organised outfit but our defending was resolute and eventually we managed to break them down,” he said later.

“It was an excellent effort from the lads throughout and Ryan Maggs and Simon Owen took their chances well.”

Thornwell Red & White were due to play Severn Bridge at the weekend.

Manager Terry Woodward was disappointed for Bridge but also pointed out that as a result, will go into the Benevolent Cup tie against Undy on Saturday lacking match fitness.

“We played four games in 11 days last month and by the time we line-up against Undy it will be nearly three weeks since we played Mathern A on September 3rd.

“We did ask Underwood if they would play us last Saturday but they didn’t want to. Hopefully, all our boys will be available for the cup-tie.”

In the other match in the division, Tintern drew 1-1 at home to Caldicot Town whose performance pleased manager Nathan Thomas.

“It was a great improvement on the previous 5-1 defeat at Rockfield Rovers,” Thomas said later.

“It was a much better performance after last week’s poor result – a good end-to-end game and we could have won it, but the result was fair.”

Ryan Morley scored Town’s goal.