TWO second-half goals by RAF airman Sammy Davies clinched the points for Mathern but two set-pieces saw Tunnel claw their way back into contention.

The only match to survive the weather was switched from Mathern B's usual pitch at Shirenewton – which was waterlogged – to the Chepstow Leisure Centre.

Both teams included players who normally play at a higher level but it was Tunnel's regular keeper Sam Atkins who caught the eye, making good second-half saves when Mathern looked likely to score with every attack.

Twice Atkins threw himself to his right to parry goal-bound shots from Ryan Guscott and then he denied Davies a hat-trick, diverting his shot over the bar.

The first half had been fairly even with Tunnel's defence standing firm but it was finally breached when Alex Bajjada scored from 12 yards on the half-hour.

Mathern brought on three subs – including Davies – at the start of the second half and within minutes they doubled their advantage as he cut in from the right and fired his shot past Atkins.

Davies, who recently returned from an overseas posting, hammered his second a few minutes later but further goals eluded him as Tunnel's keeper pulled off a string of saves.

Tunnel pulled one back from a corner, Jack Harrison scoring and then Mathern wing-back Jack Stewart headed Paul Jones' corner kick past his own keeper to set up a nervy final 10 minutes in which both teams created and wasted chances.

Mathern boss Gary Burchill was pleased to have been able to play the match.

"It was a competitive game between two strong teams," he said,

"Alex Bajjada's great strike and Sam Davies' two goals gave us a head start but Tunnel's two goals from set pieces provided a nervy end to a good battle!"

His opposite number Ron Atkins said he was proud of the commitment shown by his team – including those who had stepped in from the club's A and B sides.

"I'm proud of them all," he said, adding: "Sam Atkins was our man of the match for some good saves."

He also paid tribute to central defender Keith Morse who marshalled the defence and encouraged the young keeper.

"Keith is not captain because he doesn't need an arm band to do what he does," the manager cont-inued.

"Everyone at the club knows he should be in the firsts, but like me, he enjoys the thirds and the enjoyment we get out of bringing the youngsters through.

"Our team spirit every week is excellent and we like scaring the opposition who expect to walk all over us."