GOYTRE'S second string starred in an enthralling 4-3 victory over opponents Race, but chairman Paul Greenhalgh was left reflecting on a series of errors which almost cost the side their place in the second round of the Langdon Cup.

Playing at home against a side bottom of the Gwent Central Division One with just one win all season, Goytre opened up a 3-0 lead inside the first fifteen minutes, with Anthony Atkinson opening the scoring followed by a brace from Stewart Price.

Greenhalgh said: "We were coasting but then a bad back pass from Simon Taylor let Race pull one back and straight from the next kick off Scott Askew conceded a penalty. They scored twice in two minutes to leave it at 3-2 at half time."

Goytre rallied from their lack of discipline in the second half with player manager Ian Rosser - typically a left footed player - striking a right footed power driver to re-open up a two goal cushion for the hosts.

But Race again refused to sit down and grabbed the seventh goal of the tie in the 83rd minute to set up a frantic finale to the cup tie.

Greenhalgh added: "We held on but it was only after we had relaxed and become sloppy to allow them back into it. We had been three up and cruising but first the silly back pass and then the penalty and we started to wobble.

"Race had their tails up and came back into it and even when we had chances in the second half to kill the game off again we didn't take them." The second team's next fixture sees them take on New Inn, away in the Open Cup, this weekend.

GOYTRE face Treowen in the Welsh League Division Three this Saturday, with club chairman Paul Greenhalgh anxious not to underestimate their opponents.

Treowen are currently placed 14th in the league, six points adrift of Goytre and having played one more game, but Greenhalgh points to a run of good form brought on by a good young side as cause for fear.

He said: "Treowen beat Pentwyn Dynamo at the weekend 1-0 at home, who are third in the league so it will be a hard game.

"They have picked up over the last few weeks and Richie Davies - who I know well - has set up a good young side. They have gone for youth and are now starting to reap the rewards."

Goytre's game at Cwmamman United on Saturday was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.