East Gwent League

Division 1

Thornwell Red & White 5 Iscoed Tafern 5

THORNWELL boss Richard Jones believes this season’s campaign in the EGL will prove to be one of the toughest for many years, writes Bob Cypher.

“There are no easy games, no walk-overs and competition in the EGL will be tough for every team this season,” he predicted after seeing his team establish a two-goal lead twice and lose it twice, taking just one point.

After losing 2-0 at home to Mathern, a result Jones said he was still struggling to understand, Red & White enjoyed a 4-1 win at Rockfield Rovers in midweek and it appeared they had shaken off the summer cobwebs and were ready to mount a major challenge for the title.

They took an early lead through a good move finished well by Dean Corbett and Matt Divers doubled their advantage from the penalty spot - Thornwell were on the way to three points. Or so it seemed!

But the name may have changed but there is little doubt Iscoed Tafern still play with the sort of spirit, determination and guts for which Underwood were well known and manager Ashley Edinborough was proud of their never-say-die attitude.

“The lads never gave up and to come back twice from two goals down was brilliant,” he said.

“From the off we knew Thornwell would be very direct bypassing the midfield at every opportunity so even at 2-0 down we continued to play our football, playing it to feet and moving the ball quickly to cause them problems.

“On the balance of play I think we shaded it but my assistant Gary Wild and I are extremely happy about the way they battled back at 5-3 down to get a point against a big, powerful club with the youthful team we have this year.

“We are massively proud of the lads for the spirit and hunger they showed throughout.”

Although the team is, on the whole, a young side, they have a few more experienced players like Craig Owen, Kyle Harrison and keeper Will Hobbs

Harrison reduced the arrears with a tap-in at the far post after Thornwell keeper Mark Davies spilled the ball under pressure from two players.

After the break Harrison struck a 20-yard free kick despite the efforts of the ‘wall’ between him and goal.

That stung Thornwell into a period of domination with the dangerous Dan Hines scoring twice to make it 4-2.

Josh Edinborough cut the deficit again before Thornwell skipper Rory Garey headed home a corner from the left and with less than 10 minutes, left, the two goal deficit seemed too great.

But sub Taylor Gregory squeezed his shot between the post and Davies’ right hand and then, in time added on, Harrison completed his hat-trick, weaving through four Thornwell defenders before firing low and hard to Davies’ left.