Amateur Cup Round Two

PENALTIES played a big part as East Gwent teams booked places in the draw for the next round of the Gwent FA Amateur Cup, writes Bob Cypher.

Sudbrook needed penalty saves by their goalkeeper Steve Hepple to end the plucky resistance put up by Riverside Rovers.

Played on the 3G pitch at Caldicot Leisure Centre, the scores were level at half time, full time and at the end of two periods of extra time, but then Hepple saved three of Rovers’ spot-kicks to send Sudbrook through.

The game was also a triumph for Joe Whitehouse who took the opportunity of a rare call-up to the first team to play a major part in the game.

“Joe took his opportunity well, scoring our first and was pretty much involved in the others,” explained manager Daryl Cann later.

Whitehouse supplied the cross for the second of Keenan Perrett’s goals and Dave Skinner added the fourth.

In the shoot-out, Perrett, Jamie Green and Ben Miles converted their penalties but Hepple’s heroics sealed a hard-earned victory.

Penalties played their part in two other local cup-ties, Wayne Duffield scoring from the spot for Mathern who lost 2-1 at home to Pill while both sides in the all-East Gwent League clash between Thornwell and Tintern Abbey were awarded penalties.

Thornwell’s Terry Woodward said both teams showed they were fully committed to the tie.

”We probably dominated possession and deserved the win but Tintern kept us working all through the game,” he added.

“Our first goal came from a great close down on their keeper Stuart Williams by Steph Reynolds.

“Trying to clear, the keeper hit the ball against Steph’s back and it looped up over the keeper and into the net.”

Woodward was providing a stream of crosses and corners, creating chances for the home side but they all went begging.

After the break, the sides continued to battle to gain control and when Tintern were awarded a penalty, Pip Seabury stepped up to score the equaliser.

Despite the setback, Thornwell gradually gained control and two goals settled the tie.

“In the end, we had too much for them and when we were awarded a penalty, Kenny Vidler put us ahead and then made it 3-1 after a great cross from Dean Corbett set him up,” Woodward continued

Tintern’s Darryl Reynolds said the setback of going behind in the third minute was a blow for the side but they responded well.

“Pip Seabury was unlucky to have a goal ruled out for offside when it was me that was offside but not interfering with play and then their keeper Liam Parker denied me an equaliser when he dived full-length to tip my shot around a post.

“On reflection the better team won although we were disappointed not to have taken the tie to extra time,” he added.

There was a penalty of a different sort for Cwm. They were unable to field a side to take on Underwood Athletic so the visitors were awarded a walkover and Rockfield Rovers’ hopes ended in a 1-0 defeat at Crickhowell.