East Gwent Senior League

Division One

Sudbrook CC A 0 Underwood SC A 0

SUDBROOK are the champions of Division One after they secured the one point needed against title rivals Underwood in a tense match on Saturday.

Despite the trophy in their cabinet, the club must wait until league officials nominate them as candidates for promotion to the Gwent County League next season, although that is understood to be no more than a formality.

Sudbrook made no effort to sit back despite knowing a draw would be enough to clinch the title.

On the other hand, as Underwood needed to win, the match was end to end with both teams enjoying periods of possession and dominance although the home side edged it on the number of chances they created.

The visitors suffered a major blow before the start when goalkeeper Justin Bidgood injured his shoulder.

With B team keeper Will Hobbs unavailable, manager Sean Johnson asked B team outfield player Rob Williams to take the jersey for his first competitive match between the sticks.

Williams responded well and pulled off a number of saves to keep a clean sheet although there was an element of luck to a few of them.

Underwood also had Jamie Green and Craig Owen in great form at the heart of their defence but as Johnson admitted later, they lacked a cutting edge upfront without the injured Josh Downing.

"We are disappointed to not gain promotion," he said.

"I am very proud of the boys' performance, our defence was awesome, we just lacked that cutting edge upfront.

"But league tables don't lie, we just haven't scored enough goals this season and draws at Undy and Severn Tunnel have cost us.

"However, we are still unbeaten and can take a lot of pride from that.

"Sudbrook CC have a very strong squad and thoroughly deserve promotion. We wish them all the best in the Gwent County League and expect them to push on through the divisions."

Johnson also looked forward to Friday's Gill Cup final when the two clubs are to meet again at Caldicot Town's pitch (kick off 6.30pm)

"We will give it our all to try to salvage some silverware for all the hard work we have put in," he added

Sudbrook is managed by Jason Brimble and Daryl Cann and Cann paid tribute to their team.

"We fully deserved to win the league after all the hard work the lads put in over the course of the season," Cann said

"The game was always going to be nervy because Underwood have got a quality group of lads and it's just unfortunate that two teams can't be promoted because both could easily hold their own in Gwent County.

"We knew that as long as we kept a clean sheet we would win the league!"