Gwent County League roundup

ONLY one of the four local teams managed to win at the weekend, despite all having home advantage.

Division Two’s Sudbrook CC and Mathern and Division Three’s Underwood Athletic all lost, leaving Severn Tunnel as the sole victors, triumphing 5-4 at Rogiet against Nantyglo.

At one point Tunnel were 4-1 up but Nantyglo kept going and pegged it back to 4-4 before Luke James scored what proved to be the winner in the 80th minute.

Now, joint manager Drew Main believes the performance can kick-start Tunnel’s season.

“We finally got back to winning ways,” he said later.

“There was a great opening goal by our man of the match Tom Atkins, a well-taken hat-trick by Chris Taylor and a return to scoring goals by Luke James.

“It was end-to-end stuff from the first minute to the last and Luke finished off a fine team move which Chris Taylor and Tom Atkins created.”

At Mill Lane, Sudbrook – for whom Keenan Perrett was on target – went down 2-1 to visitors Ynysddu Welfare and in Division Three, Underwood lost 3-1 at home to Rhymney.

“It was a good performance by my players,” Underwood boss Craig Johnson said later.

“We dominated for a good 60 minutes but luck wasn’t on our side and we conceded two soft penalties and had our keeper sent off.

“It’s the way it’s been for us lately but I’m proud of the performance the players put in. Joe Leighton scored our goal.”

Tunnel are now 11th in the table with Underwood third from bottom.

Amateur Cup preview

Most of the teams have a break from league action this weekend when they take part in the Gwent League Amateur Cup First Round.

Underwood are away to Race while Tunnel entertain Brynmawr and Sudbrook welcome Division Two pacesetters Wattsville to Mill Lane.

Three Monmouthshire Windows East Gwent League sides are also in cup action as Caldicot Castle A visit Coed Eva Athletic, Portskewett and Sudbrook have a tough test at home to Llanhilleth Athletic and Rockfield Rovers welcome Division Three leaders Rogerstone.

Bob Cypher