Monmouthshire Windows East Gwent League

WITH leaders Thornwell Red & White not scheduled to play, Caldicot Castle A grabbed the chance to cut their lead by three points at the expense of Severn Tunnel, writes Bob Cypher.

As the Castle pitch was unplayable, the club booked the 3G pitch at Caldicot Leisure Centre and enjoyed a 4-0 victory.

“Tunnel turned up with a few of their Gwent County League players to help their team,” Castle player-manager Joe O’Brien said later.

“We started with loads of possession and played the ball around but created very little and at the break we only led 1-0 thanks to a goal by Paul Harris.

“Tunnel had one of their county players red carded in the first half, which seemed harsh, but we couldn’t capitalise on the advantage.

“Paul was cautioned in the first half so we replaced him with Steve Edwards just in case he picked up another card and was sent off.”

Rick Woodland scored Castle’s second and O’Brien went on for the last half-hour, making it 3-0 before another of Tunnel’s GCL players was sent off for swearing.

O’Brien admitted his men could – and should – have scored more against the nine-man team but said that too many wrong decisions were made in the final third of the pitch before he added the fourth goal.

Six points behind Thornwell with a game in hand, Castle are second, four points ahead of Undy Athletic – who have played two games more – and five points ahead of Rockfield Rovers who have played one game more.

Elsewhere in the league, Undy edged out Chepstow Athletic 4-3 while Rovers beat Mathern A 4-2, Keiron Gettings scoring both Mathern goals.

Chepstow Athletic manager Jake Parkinson admitted his changes against Undy might have led to defeat.

“I’m gutted about the result. We were 2-0 up with 25 minutes remaining and then conceded three sloppy goals,” he said later.

“We managed to equalise with a third of our own and I think a draw would’ve been a fair result for both teams.

“However, we conceded a free kick in the final moments which was flicked on and scored with more than a hint of offside.

“I have to take responsibility for making a couple of changes that affected our rhythm. Our performance for 65 minutes was excellent though.”

Tintern Abbey appear to know where the net is, judging by their 8-2 home win over Portskewett & Sudbrook for whom Chris Commins and Nathan Fieldhouse were the scorers, but Caldicot Town found Underwood B a tougher nut to crack, triumphing 3-2.

Finally, Castle B lost 6-2 at home to Chepstow Town.