PONTYPOOL Town AFC suffered a crushing 7-1 defeat against table toppers Crickhowell on Saturday.

Crickhowell AFC scored three goals within half an hour before Pontypool winger Ben Morse brought back the score to 3-1.

Pontypool Town said they played at home without some of their regular players and club chairman Patrick Kearns, 63, was brought in to play centre forward after about 15 minutes.

Mr Kearns said the team got a bit tired in the second half and conceded four more goals bringing the final score to 7-1.

Pontypool Town have racked up five wins and five losses this season and currently rank eighth out of 12 in Gwent Central Division 1, the club chairman said.

Mr Kearns said: “It was a clean game. Nobody was booked and nobody was sent off.

“I play five a side twice a week. I’m fairly fit.

“This is still quite a young team. They are young boys and they are learning all the time.”

His son Sean Kearns, 28, who also played on Saturday, quipped: “Dad didn’t look out of place. He didn’t play that bad. He surprised me.”

The club plays at Albion Road playing fields in Pontypool and welcomes new players. Call Mr Kearns on 07516 401 609 for more information.