Gwent County League Division Three

Sudbrook 5 Rhymney 1

SUDBROOK CC blew the race for the Division Three title wide open with a 5-1 demolition of pacesetters Rhymney at Mill Lane on Saturday.

Ben Miles gave them the lead with a 30-yard free kick in the first half and just before the break, Sudbrook keeper Craig Brimble made a good save in a one-on-one, booting the ball away as the visitors’ striker evaded the offside trap.

But Keenan Perrett produced a great second-half performance making strong runs deep into Rhymney’s half, preventing them from pressing too high up the pitch.

Perrett made it 2-0 and then a strong run down Rhymney’s right flank led to him setting up Richie Lloyd for the third.

Chris Butcher scored the cheekiest when he spotted the keeper had lost control of the ball and nipped in to rob him and pass the ball into the net.

If that was audacious, the fifth was outrageous, Jamie Woodfield moving onto a clearance before unleashing a ferocious shot that took a deflection but was destined for the top corner from the moment it left his foot!

“That was our best performance of the season so far,” Sudbrook manager Daryl Cann said.

“The team has grown in confidence and we are finally getting the results we know we’re capable of.

“We are very much still in the mix after this result.”

By inflicting Rhymney’s first defeat of the season, Sudbrook also gave a helping hand to rivals Blackrock Rovers who moved into third place after goals by Ben Smith (2) and Luke James gave them a 3-1 home victory over Rogerstone.

“It was a very good win – especially as we came from a goal down to win,” Rovers’ manager Paul Lovell said.

“It was a very even first half despite us conceding early on, but a penalty shortly before half time gave us a foothold in the game.

“The second half was a different story, we took control and scored twice to cap a good team performance and a deserved victory,” he added

Wattsville take over at the top on 30 points, two ahead of Villa Dino and Blackrock.

Caldicot Castle stumbled again, losing 6-0 at Nantyglo after keeper Dave Hayward was sent off.

Castle boss Alex Hart acknowledged that his having been on holiday for the last two matches might have had an adverse effect on the team.

“We are all disappointed, but we are just going to move on and focus on next week,” he said.

“I understand Dave Hayward didn’t deserve to be sent off but we have to get on with it.

“Promotion may be a struggle now but considering what’s happened in the league so far this year, we are by no means out of it!”

Finally in this division, George Ryley scored twice as Rockfield Rovers won 4-2 at Race, with Ryan Jones and Rhys Jones adding the other goals.