Gwent County League round-up

BLACKROCK Rovers boss Paul Lovell was left disappointed after a combination of traffic jams, road works, road closures and an unsympathetic match official meant his team took to the field with only nine players at Rhymney on Saturday.

“We left at 1.15pm for an hour’s journey that ended up taking 1 hour 45 minutes for most of us and 2 hours for some,” he said after Rovers were edged out 4-3.

“We had no preparation time or proper warm-up,” he added.

“Rhymney took an early lead but Luke James scored either side of half time to give us the lead.

“A controversial penalty for handball gave Rhymney an equaliser and some very sloppy defending gifted them the lead.

“Ben Smith equalised two minutes from time and appeared to give both teams a point but deep in injury time, a hopeful long ball caught out our dozing defence for Rhymney to snatch all three.”

Despite the setback, Rovers are still the top local club in fifth place in the Division Three table after Caldicot Castle suffered a shock home defeat to lowly Race.

Coming after their 3-2 victory over Sudbrook CC, Castle’s manager Alex Hart was expecting his team to continue their progress up the table.

The manager was unable to attend the match due to illness but he admitted to being shocked when he heard the result.

“From what I understand, the attitude was not there and Race were deserved winners,” he said

“I was shocked and disappointed but this result could turn out to be a real kick up the backside against any sort of complacency.

“Race took a 2-0 lead, James Reid scored to make it 2-1 but they scored a third and it was a deserved victory.

“I just hope we learn from this, get our attitudes sorted out and learn. Next week is a massive game at the team directly below us, Nantyglo, and an opportunity to put things right!”

Meanwhile, Sudbrook CC drew 0-0 at home to Wainfelin Bluebirds.