East Gwent Senior League & Cup Roundup

WITH both Underwood teams drawn against each other, the second semi-final of the Benevolent Cup will see Severn Tunnel A take on Sudbrook CC A.

Sudbrook saw off the challenge of Mathern FC A with a 3-1 home win while Severn Tunnel ended Tintern Abbey’s involvement with a 2-1 home win.

“It was easy to see why Mathern are so high up in Division 1,” said Sudbrook co-manager Daryl Cann.

Mathern manager Lee Baker, on the other hand, admitted his men “didn’t turn up” in the first half by which time they trailed 2-0 to a Stuart Cochrane header and a Rob Thorn strike.

“We struggled to create openings but in the second half we matched them and we will take that into next week’s match when we meet them again, in the league, Despite the defeat, we wish Sudbrook good luck in the semi-final.”

The second half saw Wayne Duffield reduce the arrears from the spot and then, after Richard Lund was brought down in Mathern’s area, Thorn stepped up to seal the win with his second.

Severn Tunnel manager Steve Duddridge said his team’s win was close despite having the lion’s share of possession.

“Tintern were always in the game, though. We started with 10 players because we were without Darren Poultney who was late arriving.

“But Darren made up for that by firing us ahead with an excellent 25-yard shot but Abbey levelled after a neat piece of skill by Geraint Reynolds.

“Then 16-year-old Ethan Addis, who played a part in our first goal, scored the winner 10 minutes from time to earn us a place in another semi-final.

In the league matches, Caldicot Castle A won 3-2 at Chepstow Athletic and Chepstow Town beat visitors Thornwell Red & White 5-0 in Division 1.

In Division 2 Severn Bridge won a tight match 3-1 at home to Portskewett & Sudbrook thanks to goals by Paul Trask, Harry Shepherd and Steve Jones (pen) and Severn Tunnel B (David Scanlon and Mark Cockram) won 2-1 at Tintern Abbey B for whom Neil Mackie scored a penalty.