East Gwent League Round-up

CALDICOT Castle boss Joe O’Brien celebrated the birth of his third child in the perfect way – by notching a hat-trick of goals, writes Bob Cypher.

After his wife Charlotte gave birth to their second son, Alfie, Joe thought scoring three goals would be a fitting way to mark the couple’s 'hat-trick' – Alfie, his brother Lewis, nine, and sister Ellie-May, six.

Joe, who took the managerial reins this season, gave Castle a great start, lifting the ball over the advancing Caldicot Town keeper after a deep clearance from Dave Hayward.

Town equalised after a good passing move before O’Brien turned provider, crossing for Rick Woodland to head Castle back into the lead.

After Richard Regulski saw his penalty kick saved, O’Brien made it 3-1 by half-time with his second goal and completed his treble from the second half restart, catching the Town keeper unawares.

Steve Edwards made it 5-1 with a powerful drive, Woodland made it 6-1 with his second, scored from the spot, and James Reid wrapped it up with the seventh,

“Town did pull a goal back but the game belonged to Castle,” O’Brien said later.

“We were clinical and well organised to keep Town at bay and our man of the match was our captain Richard Withey.”

Castle – the only team with a 100 per cent record – move up to second, a point behind leaders Thornwell Red & White A with a game in hand.

Thornwell beat visiting challengers Rockfield Rovers 3-2 while Chepstow Town A lost 5-3 at home to Sudbrook CC.

Undy Athletic are fourth thanks to a 5-0 award because Mathern B were forced to postpone at late notice.

Mathern A lost 3-2 at home to a late Underwood Athletic goal – a result which Mathern boss Simon Bajjada said was a bitter pill to swallow.

“I thought we put on an excellent performance and deserved a draw,” Bajjada added later.

Sam Greening, with a penalty, and Matt Bajjada gave Mathern a 2-1 lead going into the closing minutes but two 'Route One' goals snatched the points

“It was a bitter pill to swallow because we should have won, but we will get stronger and although tiredness did start to show, our attitude throughout was excellent.”

Thornwell Red & White B won 5-4 at Portskewett & Sudbrook thanks to a Chris Huggett hat-trick and singles by John Shorrock and Tom Bromily

“It was a hard-fought match and I am well pleased, “ Thornwell B boss Keith Tipper said later,

Port & Sud player Chris Commins – who scored one of his team’s goals – said the game swung in favour of both teams.

“We went 1-0 up but it was all-square at 2-2 by half time,” he said.

“After the break we went 4-3 up but they scored twice late on.”

Apart from Commins, Steve Lovell, Nathan Edinburgh and Dave Watkins scored for the home side.

Finally, Tintern Abbey moved up to sixth with a 9-1 home victory over Caldicot Castle B for whom Scott Bevan scored.

“Abbey were the better team on the day,” admitted Castle boss Mike Levett.

Tintern’s scorers were Geraint Reynolds (3), Steve Carter (3), Tom Collins, Aaron Cousins and Darryl Reynolds.