Gwent County League

Division Two

Mathern FC 3 Pill 5

MATHERN boss Lee Baker admitted he was to blame as Mathern took the lead twice but lost it twice on the way to defeat, writes Bob Cypher.

The home side led twice against visitors Pill but both goals, scored by Jordan Bibby, were equalised within minutes.

Pill went ahead for the first time just before the break and doubled their advantage soon after the start of the second half with a classic route-one goal.

The visitors added a fifth and although Elliot Greening scored from the spot late on, Mathern, who had their fair share of possession, could not find their way through.

Aware of Bibby’s speed and skill, Pill’s defenders doubled up on the nippy winger and their defence repelled every attack.

But after the match Baker admitted he had been slow to react after Pill scored the second equaliser.

“I thought we did enough going forward to win,” he said.

“We really put them under pressure when we had the ball by knocking it around brilliantly at times and made it easier for ourselves.

“But off the ball we weren’t at the races and we let them play too much.

“Something wasn’t right and I was too slow to react to the problems, which put us under pressure.

“There are things the players can do to make things right but as a manager I have to hold my hand up and say I got things massively wrong.

“The score line was harsh but I have nothing but praise for my young squad who pushed and kept playing for the full 90 minutes. Now we just keep going and learn from every lesson.”