Gwent County League Division Two - Mathern 0 Ynysddu 1

MATHERN suffered their first defeat of 2017 at home to Ynysddu at the weekend.

Ironically, the recent run of victories that had hoisted them into fourth place, was brought to an end in a match they dominated for long periods without converting one of a number of gilt-edged chances.

Writing on social media, Mathern manager Colin Jeffery said his men were superior in all positions and could have outscored the visitors – and claimed they should have won by at least two clear goals!

Mathern players saw their shots cannon off desperate last-ditch blocks, thud against an upright, brush the crossbar or blazed high or wide.

As so often happens, an 85th minute chance prodded home by Ynysddu’s leading scorer Kane Giffard was wildly celebrated by players and club officials alike.

The home side rallied and managed to create two decent chances in the remainder of the game – all to no avail.

The victory catapulted Ynysddu into second place while defeat meant Mathern slumped to sixth.

With nine games left, Mathern visit one-from-bottom Llanhilleth Athletic on Saturday.

They can still have a big say in which teams will be playing Division One football next season but it will take a few seismic shocks for Mathern to be among them.

Meanwhile in Division Three, East Gwent teams had mixed fortunes.

Caldicot Castle’s visit to Crickhowell was postponed due to the weather while Severn Tunnel again self-destructed after taking a 3-0 lead at Ponthir but lost 6-4.

“We were all over them,” Tunnel boss Marcus Jenkins said later.

”Once again, we made silly mistakes and lost.”

Tunnel’s goals were scored by Ollie Morgan-Davies, (2), and Tom Atkins, (2).

Finally, Sudbrook, missing manager Daryl Cann and eight regulars, maintained their position at the top of the table with a 2-0 victory at Coed Eva Athletic thanks to goals from Jamie Green and Rob Thorn.

“It was a great, determined performance, played in very difficult conditions,” assistant manager Drew Main explained.

“We were without eight players and Daryl is away on his stag so we shuffled the side around to compensate.”

The match was delayed due to the late arrival of the referee and Main said the home pitch was very heavy in places and bordered on unplayable at times.

Main praised his men for a brilliant defensive effort in a second half which saw few chances created on a pitch which was starting to freeze again.

“We defended from the front and made Athletic do a lot of running for little gain.

“I was particularly pleased at how we adapted to the conditions to grind out a different result. We now move onto next week against third-placed Brynmawr.”