Benevolent Cup Semi Final - Chepstow Town 3 Mathern A 2

CHEPSTOW Town came back from 2-0 down to earn a place in next year’s final thanks to a free kick from “new boy” Stuart Cochrane.

The central defender joined Town’s third team this summer after playing for Sudbrook CC for the last 11 years including their promotion-winning season two seasons ago.

For Division One leaders Mathern, it was an opportunity to get last week’s defeat by Caldicot Town out of their system and when they took a 2-0 lead, they seemed on track.

They suffered a blow during the warm-up when keeper Josh Carter injured his right thumb but with no replacement, he was forced to play with the injury.

After Harry Lewis scored the first goal, the second was fiercely contested as Town’s players thought Wayne Duffield had been offside when he scored.

Town were dealt a further blow when they claimed a shot had crossed the line before being headed away to safety by Jack Taylor.

“It was definitely not over the line,” Taylor said later.

“I was standing behind the line but when the ball came towards me I stepped forward to head it so there was no way it was a goal.”

That, and the Duffield decision, seemed to motivate Town’s players and with the lights on around the pitch, they reduced the arrears through sub Tom Philp.

Mathern were rocked back on their heels when Colin Dougall equalised with a fine free-kick.

Extra time and the possibility of a penalty shoot-out loomed large and there was an ugly moment when a Mathern player’s tough tackle close to the sideline incensed Town’s supporters and a fracas broke out which resulted in Town manager Lee Watkins being sent from the ground.

Another free kick gave Cochrane his chance, his effort sailing over Carter and dropping in at the far post.

Mathern pushed hard for an equaliser especially after Town had Rob Kennedy dismissed for a second bookable offence but the 10 men held out for a fine victory.

Later, Town manager Lee Watkins apologised to the match officials for his behaviour and praised his team for their commitment.

"I know the spirit these boys have and going two down was never going to faze them,” he added.

“They used the frustration of the second goal and the hurt from last year’s loss to drive them on. Their ambition still burns strongly.”

Mathern boss Lee Baker said his team’s first half performance was spot on to the game plan.

“Our shape was good and we worked hard but never looked like controlling the game,” he said.

“Coming in at 2-0 should have been the end of the game but we let them get back into it with a couple of soft goals and a very good free kick.

“They used their experience by getting balls in the box and we played into their hands by giving away so many cheap free kicks.

“We had the chances to get over the line but didn’t take them.

“This is a deflating result as we know we should have won but we were punished.”