Gwent County League Division 3

Mathern FC...................5

Whiteheads United.....0

MATHERN stormed to the top of Division Three with a 5-0 win at Whiteheads and showed joint manager Dean Thomas the strength in depth he has at his disposal.

“All the players we've brought in from the East Gwent Senior League team have not looked out of place in the GCL and it shows we have good strength in depth,” Thomas said.

“It also explains why Mathern are top of Division Two in that league and unbeaten.

“We dominated the game from start to finish and should have scored more.

”Alex Bell was the standout player and there was a good debut by Luke Farley, who was always showing for the ball and fitted in well with our hard-work ethic.”

Richard Wood scored twice, Bell scored from the spot after Tom Marmont was brought down in the area, Hywel Pugh came off the bench to score a far post header and Marmont rounded off an all-round display with the fifth.

“We are all looking forward to the home game against Neuadd Wen on Saturday, They are having a decent season and it promises to be a tough match,” added Thomas.

With Mathern on top thanks to their superior goal difference, another East Gwent club are also eyeing top spot after piling on the pressure with a 2-0 home victory over title rivals Cwm.

Caldicot Castle are fifth with 21 points from 12 games and manager David Adamson is “very happy” to be in the mix just before the season reaches its halfway stage.

Castle can do themselves a huge favour with a repeat performance – again at home - on Saturday when they take on second-placed Pontnewydd United have 23 points from 10 games.

“The first half was quite even although Cwm probably had the better chances,” Adamson said.

“We were grateful to our keeper Dave Hayward, who made some great saves.

“But we took control after the break with the McKeon brothers running the show.

“Joe O’Brien put us ahead with a great shot from inside the penalty box and after

a Cwm attack broke down, we hit them on the break with Scott McKeon firing home from the edge of the area.

“It was another great battling performance. I’m very happy with a result that keeps us up there with the rest of the leaders.”