Gwent Central League round-up (From Free Press Series)

Gwent Central League round-up

Shock of the day in Division One was table toppers Sebastopol crashing to a 3-1 defeat away to Clydach Wasps.

To date, Sebastopol have only lost two games and it is Clydach Wasps who have completed the double over them, after the Wasps stung Sebastopol at the Ruffetts 4-1 on September 13.

Sebastopol looked anything but promotion material from the moment the team arrived - just 15 minutes before kick-off - and gave a dire performance.

On the other hand, the Wasps were full of enthusiasm and hungry for the points. Kyle Cheshire dribbled through the Sebastopol defence and put Clydach 1-0 up after 20 minutes. Ten minutes into the second half Robert Surtees put Sebastopol on level terms but their revival was halted when Lee Brown was brought down in the area in the 75th minute.

Cheshire got his second goal of the match from the penalty spot to put Clydach back into the lead at 2-1 before Simon Tippins put the icing on the cake for Clydach with a simple tap in at the far post. Sebastopol's keeper, Steve O'Dwyer pulled off a string of spectacular saves, earning him his side's man of the match award, but even he could not get his side going.

James Richards was Clydach's man of the match. Sebastopol now drop to second place in the league while Clydach Wasps stay in ninth position.

Tranch United go back on top of Division One following their 3-1 away win over Lower New Inn. Lower New Inn welcomed back keeper Allan Samson after injury. Three goals were scored in a period of three minutes, two for Tranch Utd and one for the Lower.

Shaun Williams put Tranch ahead with a goal from the penalty spot after 25 minutes and Jason Howells got another a minute later, when he controlled the ball at the far post. Mike Ellis scored for the Lower with a curling ball direct from a corner that beat Tranch keeper, Barry Apperley.

Shaun Williams got his second goal of the match and Tranch's third with a right side shot before Lower New Inn had a goal disallowed for handball.

Crickhowell kept up their winning ways with a 4-1 away win at Goytre. Owain Jones scored a hat-trick and Jonny Webb got one. Chris Perry scored the Goytre goal. Crickhowell led 3-1 at half-time and stay in third position, while Goytre are in eighth position. Man of the match for Crickhowell was Graham Mason and for Goytre was Chris Perry.

Usk Town made it eight wins in a row with a 2-1 home win over Gilwern & District on the Island, after a goalless first half. Michael Ives put Usk Town 1-0 up when he scored with a shot into the top corner and Richard Kershaw doubled the lead in the 75th minute with a goal scored direct from a corner.

Graham Jones pulled a goal back for Gilwern & Dist with a spectacular overhead kick. Michael Ives was Usk Town's man of the match and Steve Williams took the award for Gilwern. Usk Town hold fifth position and Gilwern & Dist hold sixth.

Llanarth got back to winning ways with a 9-4 away win at Fairfield Utd. Llanarth established a 5-2 half-time lead. Goal scorers for Llanarth were Peter Maddocks (4), Paul Rennie (2), Colin Morgan, Jonathan Roberts and Steve Morgan, while for Fairfield Utd, they were Shaun Knox (2 - one a penalty), Steve Smith and Russell Williams.

Peter Maddocks was Llanarth's man of the match. Llanarth stay in fourth position and Fairfield Utd remain bottom of the league in 14th.

In Division Two Aber Thursdays failed to raise a side for their visit to Race Utd. It was the third time this season that Thursdays have failed to raise a team and they are currently bottom of Gwent Central Division Two. Despite having plenty of players signed on, they were again short on the day.

In the only game to be played in Division Two, Blaenavon Blues did a demolition job, thrashing Sebastopol B 17-1.

The Blues raced into a 4-0 lead after just eight minutes and led 8-1 at half-time. Prolific goal scorer Ryan Keen scored eight to take his season's tally so far to 29 goals.

Other scorers were Craig Harris (2), who also took the man of the match award, Allan Scammell (2), Damian Heward, Jeff Sterry, Marc Harvey and Nathan Priest. Sebastopol B had only ten players and their goal was scored by Ryan Atherton. Blaenavon Blues hold fifth position, Sebastopol B stay in ninth.

In the Division Two A Jones & Co Usk Benevolent Cup quarter-final, New Inn won 6-2 away to Pontypool Town B. Jeff Tozer hit a hat-trick for New Inn, who led 2-1 at half-time, while Barry Evans, Darren Altoft and Dan Coldridge all joined him on the scoresheet. The goal scorers for Pontypool B were Jason Stokes and Daniel Jenkins.

In the Free Press Cup Group A, Prescoed were held at home to a 1-1 draw by Govilon, both goals coming in the first half. Andrew Jones headed Govilon into a 1-0 lead after ten minutes and Aaron Smith equalised for Prescoed in the 40th minute. Paul Hannon was man of the match.

PILCS beat Gilwern B 3-2, despite throwing away a 2-0 lead at half-time. Goals from Nicky Tudball and Clinton Rogers were rubbed out by goals from Mark Wakeley and Robby Warner, making it 2-2. PILCS winner was scored by James Ronan in the 88th minute.