EAST GWENT SENIOR LEAGUE ROUND-UP & CUP PREVIEW MATHERN

Wanderers still lead Division One but their superior goals difference was reduced by rivals Underwood at the weekend.

Wanderers beat Chepstow Town 3-1 while Underwood won 8-0 at Caldicot Town and now trail by just three goals and three points, although Wanderers have a game in hand.

“We played like strangers,” said Mathern manager Gareth Moore. “I told them we can’t play like we did on Saturday in the Gwent County League, which is where we want to be next season.

“Iamtrying to get us in the right mindset this season for next season because otherwise we are going to get a severe shock!”

Mathern – who have been slow starters this term – went a goal behind to a Craig White strike but goals from Shane Dash, Tom Marmont and an own goal by White landed the points.

“We’ll have to be on it next week when we play Sudbrook CC in the first round of the Benevolent Cup – or we’ll be dumped,”

Moore warned. “Sudbrook beat our B team 4-1 on Saturday and they’ll be a major test if we want to win silverware this season.”

Underwood manager Danny Williams is equally determined to win promotion back to the County League and after seeing his men beat Caldicot, he feels the team are well on course.

“We could have scored a lot more – we hit the woodwork four times – it was a one-sided affair,” he said.

“Josh Downing scored five – that’s 31 for the season so far, 13 more than his nearest rival. Ryan Green scored the other three and I made Sean Johnson our man of the match.

“We are hopefully going to return to the County League next season and plans are in place for us to have two teams next year.”

In this weekend’s other cup-ties, Underwood entertain Castle A while Chepstow Athletic, who beat Severn Tunnel A in the league last Saturday, host Division Two’s Thornwell Red & White. Tunnel A are home to Castle C, Castle B take on Caldicot Town and Tintern Abbey are home to Portskewett & Sudbrook.