Underwood 1 Thornwell Red and White 2

Thornwell warmed up for their opening match in the Gwent County Division 3 against Race with a fine win at Underwood. Thornwell played their neat one touch creating a couple of early chances with shots from Tony Reynolds and Simon Gould just going wide.

The Underwood forwards found it hard going against the rock solid Thornwell defence of captain Rory Garey and Andrew Skuse. New signing Julian Saunders found it easy to fit alongside Chris Reesand Terry Woodward.

The pace of Daniel Hines caused panic in the Underwood defence and it was Hines who opened the scoring with a right foot into the corner of the net.

In the second half Underwood got a goal out of the blue from Josh Downing to level the scores.

Thornwell then rang the changes Matthew Pearce, Danny Thomas and Paul Trask all having a run out. Trask had what looked like a good goal ruled out. Pearce was making hay on the wing.

Thornwell took the lead when a Hines cross was finished by Trask to clinch the game 2-1.

Thornwell man of the match Rory Garey; for Underwood, John Downing. New referee Jason Thomas had a quiet game.