Injuries hamper Goytre (From Free Press Series)

Injuries hamper Goytre

GOYTRE succumbed to Gwent County league rivals Llanwern last week, although the scoreline suggests a less even contest than it could have turned out.

Club chairman Paul Greenhalgh said afterwards that early injuries to in-form striker Mark Langford, and then Kevin Berry had unsettled Steve Morgan's side. And after going down to two almost identical headers, Goytre were always chasing the game.

Langford pulled a calf muscle after just seven minutes on Wednesday night, with Chris Perry coming off the bench. Then the home side took the lead when Marcus Power steered in a whipped in corner, and scored again through Mike Avis to make it 2-0.

Berry's departure soon after saw second team coach Ian Rosser entering the fray. A 25-yard free kick from Steve Collett redressed the balance somewhat, making a game of it at 2-1; but Greenhalgh admitted even then his side were not playing well, with little cohesion. And two minutes before the break Matty Smith side-footed home for Llanwern's third - the hosts taking advantage of a strong tail wind to kill Goytre off in the first 45.

Greenhalgh added: "The second half we had more spirit and fight, and Andy Walsh had a great chance with a free header from a corner but put it over."

Goytre continued to pile the pressure on, with Morgan moving Walsh up front in search of a second goal. Darren Haines also went close for the visitors but it was inevitable that Llanwern would capitalise on the space at the back and Adam Poultney duly made it four in the dying minutes.

Greenhalgh added: "The scoreline suggests we were hammered and the first half we were poor and they bossed us. But we more than competed with them after that. But they're third in the league and we're fighting for out lives at the bottom - that's how it goes sometimes."