Tranch let lead slip (From Free Press Series)

Tranch let lead slip

CRICKHOWELL tightened their grip at the top of Gwent Central League Division One with victory over their nearest rivals Tranch United.

They extended their lead to six points after a dramatic 6-3 victory which saw them come back from two goals down.

Tranch's Mark Walker was probably the league's unluckiest player of the weekend. He fired in an impressive hat-trick for Tranch - taking his season's tally to 14 goals in just seven games.

But he still ended up on the losing side as Crickhowell scored six goals in the second-half of the match.

Tranch went into the break with a 2-0 lead but Crickhowell showed why they are top of the table as Matthew Stevens hit a hat-trick, Richie Lewis scored twice and Graham Mason completed the scoring.

Lower New Inn continued their impressive form with another victory - 3-2 at home against Clydach Wasps.

Justin Arandjelovic gave Lower New Inn a 1-0 lead at half-time when he headed home a Mike Ellis cross but two goals early in the second period from Matthew Edwards and Nick Brown swung the match towards the Wasps.

Arandjelovic scored his second to bring the scores level in the 80th and then sub Simon Heatman scored a terrific winner for Lower New Inn with just three minutes to go.

Steve Bennett's simple tap-in was enough to give Pontypool Town all three points in their match against Goytre.

Prescoed got back to winning ways in Division Two to consolidate their position at the top of the table. After going into the break 2-0 ahead of Fairfield United, they stepped up a gear in the second period to seal a 6-1 win.

Tony Guard was their hat-trick hero while Lee Ashun, David West and Andrew Walters also netted. Glenn Rees scored the consolation effort for Fairfield.

Crickhowell B were held to a 2-2 draw by New Inn. Jonny Webb scored both goals for Crickhowell while Jeff Tozer did the same for New Inn. Race collected maximum points from their trip down the road to Sebastopol with a 4-0 victory. Paul Hayward started the scoring from the penalty spot and he added a second in the second half. Race's scoring was completed by Stuart Watts and Craig Rosser and they remain second in the table.

Abergavenny Thursdays went goal crazy on Saturday as they thumped Mardy B 8-2 to stay third. Ross Fury fired in a treble, as did Kieron James while Gareth Staphnill and Robert Didcott also got on the scoresheet. Mardy B's goalscorers were Matthew Lynch and Chris Davies.

PILCS got the better of Usk Town B in a 4-0 win with goals from Nathan Edmunds, Anthony Atkinson, Alex Lewis and Mark Wyatt.