Mardy hit the heights (From Free Press Series)

Mardy hit the heights

Mardy 3 Spencer Youth 0

MARDY boss Gavin Butler has admitted the club will have to seriously consider a drive towards a place in the Welsh League next season after pushing to fourth in the Gwent County Division One table - their highest ever position.

Butler reckons the club, who's previous best finish in the league was seventh last season, is well capable of a top three finish after easing past Spencer Youth for only the second time in its history on Saturday.

"Why not finish third," said an optimistic Butler. "It would be an outstanding achievement and one very much in our grasp. If we can then we will have to look at where we go as a club next season. Promotion to the Welsh League could definitely be on the agenda."

Mardy have now won an unprecedented eight games in a row and are undoubtedly the division's in-form side. All a stark turn around then from last Autumn when the club was languishing just above the drop zone.

"I'm not surprised we're where we are. The top four sides back then in the league were well ahead of us, but it seems this season we have done a flip on our form of the season before.

"That time around we made a brilliant start to the campaign, but then trailed off in the latter stages. This time around we haven't peaked to soon and after a shaky start have built some solid momentum," he said.

Momentum that was clear to see on Saturday as Butler's babes ripped apart one of the division's most difficult sides.

"It was probably the best performance of the season," admitted Butler. "The team was outstanding and the attitude and commitment superb. We just couldn't have done any better."

Mardy's goals came from Phillip Melvile - his eighth in six games, Tom Overton after some neat work by Leon Gilchrist, and Ross Povey who's bullet like 25 yard shot left the keeper with no chance.

Butler though left his biggest pat on the back for defender Will Hughes. "It was his return after three months out with a broken foot and he looked really good. It's been a massive challenge for him to regain his fitness, but he's done just that."

This weekend Mardy are away to bottom place Garnlydan, kick off 3pm.