MATHERN FC and Blackrock Rovers will have an extra incentive to win their Amateur Cup Second Round tie this weekend after both lost their league matches.

The Gwent County League Division 2 outfits are drawn against each other in the cup competition and both managers will be keen to put the defeats behind them.

Mathern went down 2-0 at second-placed Llanhilleth Athletic while Rovers also lost, 3-1 at Spencer Youth.

“We were without four regular first team players and missed two penalties,” explained Mathern boss Dean Thomas.

“It was a pretty even match played on a rugby pitch which didn’t suit our style of play but all our players gave 100 per cent effort and on another day, with a little bit of luck, we could have won,” he added.

Rovers’ manager Paul Lovell said Ben Smith was his team’s scorer.

In Division 3, Rockfield Rovers won 4-0 at home to Thornwell Red & White thanks to a master stroke by manager Dave McDonald.

“We were without eight regulars so I called up some squad players and a couple of new signings made their debuts,” he said.

“I played centre back Jack Jones, upfront – and he scored all four of our goals before half time.

“Nick Brown and Craig Davies made good debuts and I will have more players available for this weekend’s Amateur Cup tie at home to Croesyceiliog.”

Thornwell manager Steve Bidmead was not happy about his side’s display against Rovers.

“It was probably the worst of the season,” he said.

“We improved in the second half but by then it was a case of damage limitation. But we won’t play as badly as that again.”

Caldicot Castle will be in league action at Nantyglo on Saturday, hoping to do better than they did at home to Tranch at the weekend when they let a two-goal lead slip.

Manager Dave Adamson said his players showed a lack of concentration and fitness to let Tranch back into the game.

“We went ahead in the first half with a Richard Regulski penalty after James McKeon was fouled,” he said.

“The second half was fairly even and we made it 2-0 with 20 minutes to go when Connor Maclennan scored but they were awarded a penalty for handball to make it 2-1 equalised in the last five minutes.

“A lack of concentration and fitness proves costly.”