Gwent County League football

UNDERWOOD Athletic boss Craig Johnson has urged his players to “man up” after the newly-promoted side suffered another defeat at the weekend, writes Bob Cypher.

Johnson has been unable to field his best team because a number of experienced players have been unavailable due to work commitments and injury.

“We have lost the experience of Lee Ryder, Tony Ryall, Justin Bidgood and Kyle Brown and any team would feel that,” he said after seeing his men lose 4-2 at Coed Eva where Jamie Richardson and Jahmal Johnson were the scorers.

“It was another poor performance by my players who have a lot of work to do if they are going to improve and do well this season.

“The loss of our more experienced players is showing in our results. We have a very young team which is full of talent but they need to man up a bit and stop feeling sorry for themselves.”

Winless for four games, Underwood – currently 13th in the 16-team Division 3 – face another tough test on Saturday when they host free-scoring leaders Brynmawr.

Elsewhere, Severn Tunnel’s joint manager Drew Main admitted his team had a poor week after two defeats – a 5-2 defeat at home to West of St Julians in midweek and a 3-1 reverse at Cefn Fforest on Saturday.

Main, who shares managerial duties with Marcus Jenkins, said they are struggling to name a full squad.

“We played poorly and were generally second best over the 90 minutes,” he added.

“We are severely disrupted by missing players throughout the whole club, which has meant we have struggled to put a squad together and it has had a big impact, particularly as teams can now name and play five substitutes.

“Marcus and I are hoping for vast improvements next Saturday in getting back to basics but also hope to be able to welcome missing players back.”

Tunnel skipper Nathan Wheeler scored his side’s goal at Fforest.

In Division 2, Sudbrook lost 1-0 at New Inn on Saturday following a 2-0 home win over Lucas Cwmbran the previous Tuesday. This Saturday they welcome Cwm to Mill Lane.

Mathern were without a game on Saturday following their 5-0 win at Newport Corinthians and were due to play Lucas Cwmbran last night.

Lee Baker’s team – with striker Elliot Greening in fine form – face a trip to Ynysddu Welfare on Saturday.

Greening has hit the net six times in three games, including a hat-trick in the 4-4 draw with New Inn.