East Gwent Senior League

Division 2

LEADERS Mathern dropped their first points of the season when they drew 2-2 against a Thornwell Red & White team bristling with Gwent County League players.

Although Mathern boss Lee Baker was disappointed, he was proud that the opposition felt it necessary to load so many county league players in their team in order to get a point out of the match.

Jack Stewart and Harry Lewis scored for Mathern who led 2-1 at one time.

“It was a good draw in the long run with Thornwell fielding at least five County players,” he said.

“But it didn't affect our game, we played good football where we could and I'm proud of my team for standing up in a physical game which could have been made less physical with a stronger ref.

”It should have been three points but we’ll settle for a point knowing the pressure is on the teams below us and not on us.”

Despite the loss of two points, Mathern are still 11 points ahead of Severn Tunnel B – 3-2 winners at Sudbrook CC B - who have a game in hand over them but a vastly inferior goal difference.

Tunnel boss John Abram was pleased with his team’s performance.

“It was a really tough game, really well battled with an outstanding team performance and our captain Luke Edwards and Josh Birch - my assistant manager - were in the thick of it.

“David Scanlon scored twice to cap a fine display by a striker playing on his own against three centre-halves and Marc Carter-Selwood opened the scoring with a fine curling strike.”

Underwood Athletic B lie third after a 6-0 victory at Chepstow Athletic thanks to goals from Keiron Gettings (3), Joey Leighton, Rob Williams and Matthew Jackson.

They are on 13 points with Devauden Green – 3-2 victors over visitors Portskewett & Sudbrook – and Thornwell.

Tintern Abbey B left it late at Castle C, Paul Light scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory.