Gwent County League Challenge Cup Round 2

TWO local teams are still involved after the second round ties were completed on Saturday.

Mathern FC enjoyed their second visit to Mardy far more than they did the first time a few weeks ago, when they lost 1-0, by gaining revenge with a 4-0 victory.

Ieuan Diyaolu hit a fine hat-trick to set up the win and Luke Farley took over responsibility of penalty-taking after two recent misses by other players to please manager Dean Thomas.

“It was a good win and another good performance,” Thomas said.

“The difference from the last couple of weeks was that our finishing was much

better.

“We've been creating chances in all our games, but not converting them but in this game we were more direct in the final third and it seemed to work for us.

“It was nice to go there and win, after losing there in the league

”There were some great performances, with Ieuan’s hat-trick while Alex Bell worked tirelessly in midfield and Andrew Skuse was commanding at the back.

“Having said that, it was a good team effort, with every player contributing to the win. “Next Saturday, we travel to Ynysddu who have a quality pitch that will suit our pass and move game.”

Blackrock Rovers will join Mathern in the hat for the next round after a 2-1 victory at Division 3’s West of St Julians.

Luke James made up for missing the chance to put Rovers ahead in the first minute, by scoring just five minutes later.

Sustained pressure by the home side was resisted by a disciplined Rovers defence with good performances from Kieran Harris and Jamie Watkins, to lead 1-0 at the break.

“We took control in the second half,” said Rovers’ boss Paul Lovell.

“I made a slight change of formation which meant we retained possession for long periods and were pressing for a second goal.”

That came when Gareth Taylor’s pinpoint cross gave Scott Lovell the chance to beat the offside trap before coolly slotting the ball home.

”A late goal from St Julians caused a little concern for the last five minutes, but they never really created another chance,” added Lovell.

Caldicot Castle faced a tough test at Division 2 side New Inn and, according to manager Dave Adamson, they acquitted themselves well despite losing 1-0.

“We played very well, battled hard, defended well against a team from a higher division and, in the first half, I think we outplayed them and took them by surprise,” he said,

“In the second half they came back into it but it was still a fortunate goal which took a deflection off Alex Hart for an own goal.

“I was proud of the way we played though and thought our two centre halves Craig McCluskey and Ciaran Adamson were exceptional while Steve Edwards, who we have promoted from the Seconds, played very well in centre midfield.”