Gwent County League Amateur Cup - Underwood Athletic 6 Garnlydan 1

UNDERWOOD were given an early Christmas present at the weekend as the promotion aspirations of both the club’s teams were boosted.

The race for the East Gwent Senior League Division One title was blown wide open as Caldicot Town beat leaders Mathern while Underwood A were otherwise engaged in an Amateur Cup-tie against Garnlydan.

The A team’s manager Kieran Stephenson was delighted after watching his men destroy Garnlydan’s hopes in a four-goal second-half blitz on the 3G at Caldicot Leisure Centre.

The match which featured a fine performance and hat-trick by Dave Jackson, was a great way for Stephenson’s men to warm up for next Saturday’s Benevolent Cup semi-final, also on the 3G pitch – against Underwood B!

After seeing his team’s dominating performance after the break, the manager said his game plan worked well.

“Before the game I spoke to the boys about putting Garnlydan on the back foot because I knew they would come with players who have plenty of experience and physicality.

“That was obvious from the first whistle but with rain pouring down we came out playing the ball fast to the wingers who created a few early chances.

“After David Jackson cut through their defence to give us the lead, we continued to create chances but we were on the receiving end of some debatable offside decisions.”

Garnlydan hit back with an equaliser on 40 minutes but Underwood roared back and Jackson scored a controversial second, timing his run to beat the offside trap to make it 2-1 before the break,

“I asked the boys to start the second half the same way as we finished the first, moving the ball quickly.”

His men did just that and Tony Ryall put them 3-1 ahead with a fine shot on the run that sailed over the keeper and inside the far post.

“Garnlydan seemed to lose focus and Dave (Jackson), Nathan and Craig finished them off.

“Kyle Harrison, Kyle Brown and Craig (Owen) dominated the midfield and that allowed our attackers to express themselves.”

All this came a week before the two teams are due to face each other in the Benevolent Cup semi-final on Caldicot Leisure Centre’s 3G pitch.

Although the club trains on the surface, they have split into two camps for the past month so their coaches can concentrate on different aspects and both managers say their men are feeling confident.

“The results of other games have been a great boost ahead of the cup-tie,” Stephenson said.

“Both teams will be brimming with confidence that they can go into the Christmas break with a cup final to look forward to.”