Welsh League Division Three: Goytre 0, Chepstow Town 1

MANAGERLESS Chepstow Town returned to winning ways under caretaker Wayne Samuels, with Dominic Connor slotting home a winner ten minutes from time.

But Samuels, whose side were on the back foot for much of the game, admits defensive pairing Nicky and Matt Owen deserve the plaudits for their efforts at keeping Welsh League Division Three rivals Goytre at bay. Goytre had 16 corners in the game, hit the woodwork twice and had another effort cleared off the line before Connor latched onto a long ball and slotted home.

Samuels said: "We only had two chances all game and scored one, it was backs to the wall. Nicky and Matty Owen and Chris Lewis have all been outstanding at the back, while Rob Moore has kept us in it with a couple of amazing saves."

The home side certainly had plenty of opportunities to win the tie, but for Moore's heroics. Simon Ritter was the first to be denied after the full back got behind the defence, then Kevin Berry was sent clear by Kevin Wallace only for Moore to pull off a fine double save.

And the Chepstow defence continued to hold firm until half time, with Kelvin Grimes and Graham Mason the next to fail to break the deadlock. After the interval, Goytre's Steve Collett and Geoff Howells both hit the bar from distance, while Wallace saw a header cleared off the line before Connor's late strike.

Chepstow's Nicky Owen was forced off with a hamstring problem late on, with Samuels himself making a cameo appearance alongside former boss Lillygreen to complete an 85-year-old strike partnership.

l Owen is now a potential absentee for Chepstow's home game with Cwmammam United on Saturday, kick off at 2pm.

But Samuels added that Owen could make a recovery in time, while new players could join the club before the weekend.