East Gwent Senior League

WITH Sudbrook CC A in cup action, second-placed Underwood Athletic and Undy Athletic met knowing victory for either side would send them to the top of Division 1.

On recent form and with home advantage, Underwood started as favourites but Undy had other ideas, especially after Underwood’s prolific goal ace Josh Downing missed a great chance to take the lead and then limped off with a hamstring injury.

“It seemed to fluster us,” home boss Danny Williams said.

“Our football wasn't up to scratch so I changed things in the second half but we were already 1-0 down.

“We hit a post and the crossbar and their keeper made a string of saves.

“Craig Owen scored our equaliser against the run of play with a fine lob then they scored with an easy tap-in and killed us off.

“I don't want to take anything away from them though, they put the ball in the net and deserved the three points. We'll put that to bed and be ready for the rest of the season. Don't write us off just yet!”

Following the shock 4-0 home defeat by Sudbrook CC a week earlier, Undy manager Ben Garner believes his players have come through a bad patch.

“A lot of it has been about how hard we work when we don’t have the ball but yesterday, we got it spot on,” said Garner, who was so short of players, he named himself among the subs – and scored!

“Our keeper Steve Varran made some great saves, Underwood hit the woodwork but maybe we deserved a bit of luck. It was a great day for us!”

In the other Division 1 match, Rockfield Rovers won 4-0 at home to Blackrock Rovers while in Division 2, Chepstow Athletic hauled themselves off the bottom with a 6-3 victory over Castle B.

“I had a few players missing but played with five men in midfield and Lyndon Starr was the difference, “manager Andrew Methuen said.

“Lyndon hit a hat-trick and held the ball up well, bringing the midfield into the game..

Will Morgan, Dave Egan and Paul Salt scored the other goals and Mike Harmon had his best game for us.

“We hope we can carry this form into the next game.”

In the other game Underwood Athletic B won 4-3 at Devauden Green.

“It was a hard game and we scored the winner in the 87th minute through Michael Donovan,” Underwood manager Daniel Guerra said.

“Our other scorers were Joe Leighton (2) and Louis Harvey.”