East Gwent League

Division One round-up

THE title race took a fascinating turn at the weekend as title contenders - some would say favourites - Thornwell Red & White were held 1-1 on their own patch by Tintern Abbey.

Ironically, this was the third meeting of the two teams, who had been paired in two cup ties earlier in the season with Thornwell winning both.

But whether it was complacency on Thornwell's part or the determination of the visitors to stop the trend, is hard to say.

Thornwell took the lead when centre back Andrew Skuse powered home a bullet header in the first half.

For many of Thornwell's opponents this season, conceding an early goal has seen the floodgates open as Red & White went for the throat.

But not this time! Tintern held firm under heavy pressure and started to make inroads themselves although the home side led at half time.

The second half saw more of the same, Tintern absorbing heavy pressure but then springing forward to catch their opponents on the counter-attack, and it was from one such breakaway that Darryl Reynolds was hauled down in the home side's penalty area. Sam Gluning stepped up to gleefully drive the penalty past Liam Parker for the equaliser.

That setback spurred Thornwell onto even greater efforts and they basically laid siege to the Abbey goal - unsuccessfully - for the rest of the game.

Abbey manager Martin Woodford said he was "thrilled" by his team's gutsy performance.

"The spirit and organisation we showed was fantastic and the domination achieved by Thornwell was equally impressive," he said later.

"I was particularly pleased with how we kept ourselves in the game for so long.

"Thornwell had the lion's share of possession but I believe we more than deserved to share the spoils."

Meanwhile, current leaders Caldicot Castle A enjoyed a 3-0 victory at third-placed Undy to take a two-point lead over Thornwell who have a game in hand.

Manager Joe O'Brien was able to take 16 players as the club's B team weren't playing.

"The pitch was very wet and we had difficulty keeping our feet in the final third but Steve Edwards gave us the lead with a flicked header - his third headed goal in two games. Our second was an own goal after Jake Withey drilled the ball into the six-yard box and a defender put through his own goal.

"Joe Shaw-Jones was again in good form on the right flank but we didn't score our third until the second half when Rick Woodland walked the ball into the net.

"Our man of the match was Richard Regulski who broke up Undy's play in midfield and put us on the attack."

O'Brien's men take a break this weekend while Thornwell will want to get back on track at home to Chepstow Town who lost 3-2 at Rockfield Rovers on Saturday.

Saturday's fixtures (2.15pm) Division 1: Sudbrook CC v Tintern Abbey, Rockfield Rovers v Undy Athletic. Division 2: Portskewett & Sudbrook v Caldicot Town, Mathern v Thornwell R&W B, Caldicot Castle B v Chepstow Athletic.