UNDERWOOD took over at the top of Division 1 thanks to a 4-0 victory at Undy and former leaders Sudbrook CC’s match at Rockfield Rovers being called off.

Undy manager Ben Garner was without a number of regulars who had been called up to play for Undy’s cup match at home to Chepstow Town and admitted that the defeat had probably eased his men out of the title race.

“We are still in two cup competitions and they are probably our best chance of winning anything this season,” he said.

“I think the scoreline flattered Underwood but I have no complaints. They were better than us although with a little more accuracy in front of goal we might have been a lot closer to them.

“We are still very much in a transition stage with this team. We were without a few regulars in key areas and we are probably out of the running for the title now.”

The game was far from being the spectacle it could have been with a sparkling hat-trick from Elliot Camfield the main highlight.

Camfield, who wears the number 9 shirt but operates on the wings, scored two goal-of-the-season candidates to earn him Underwood boss Danny Williams’ man of the match award.

His first was a tribute to his speed, chasing a Josh Downing through-ball and nicking it past advancing keeper Steve Verran.

The second was a great shot from far out on the right flank that sailed over Verran and dropped in at the far post.

Only Verran knows what part the setting sun played in that goal but there was no doubt about Camfield’s hat-trick goal in the second half.

Receiving the ball out on the right again, he hit his shot early and left Verran clawing the air and thumping the mud in frustration.

Tom Turner had earlier made it 3-0 after meeting a cross from the left, steering it past Verran at the near post.

Underwood manager Williams was delighted with his team’s performance although he agreed it had been close.

“Undy worked very hard to keep our forwards quiet but they were very tight in the middle so we decided to use the flanks and it worked very well.

“Camfield had his best game of the season. He ran relentlessly up and down the wing and his second and third goals were brilliant.”