Gwent County League roundup

SUDBROOK CC still sit proudly atop the Division Three table – despite suffering their second defeat of the season at Ponthir.

The team maintained their four-point lead over second-placed West of St Julians after they too tasted a rare defeat at Race.

“We knew a win at Ponthir would give us more breathing space because the teams chasing us were playing each other,” Sudbrook’s assistant manager Drew Main explained.

“We had a full squad to select from but we again started slowly and were caught cold in the first minute and conceded a sloppy goal.”

Things went from bad to worse when Keiron Nesbitt was sent off for violent conduct and Sudbrook felt further aggrieved when they had a strong penalty appeal turned down.

“We made changes at half time and after the restart, we kept for an equaliser,” Main added.

“But with 10 minutes to go we were caught on the counter-attack and conceded a second goal.”

Defender Jamie Green gave Sudbrook hope with a brilliant 25-yard volley three minutes from the end but the equaliser eluded the visitors.

Although admitting Nesbitt’s dismissal was justified, Main and manager Daryl Cann felt the referee “ruined” the game.

“Both Daryl and I felt the ref ruined the game as while our sending off was justified, he let several challenges go and missed several big decisions,” he said later.

“Saying all of that it was a very lacklustre and out-of-character performance from us and one we now hope to put right at Sebastopol on Saturday.”

Severn Tunnel struggled for a team at Machen and called up reserves from the East Gwent Senior League side, meaning their Division 2 match at home to Mathern FC B had to be postponed.

Tunnel, with only seven 1st team regulars in the team, lost 5-2 after being 2-1 up at the break thanks to a couple of Chris Taylor goals.

“The lads who came in from the second team fitted in well and gave everything they could,” co-manager Marcus Jenkins said later.

“We ran out of steam with 20 minutes to go and Machen took advantage to score four goals.”

Tunnel will need to be at full-strength this Saturday when they welcome Rhymney to Rogiet Sportsfield.

In Division Two, Mathern FC lost by the single goal at Clydach Wasps and will want to get back to winning ways on Saturday when they entertain lowly Lucas Cwmbran.