Gwent County League

SUDBROOK CC and Mathern hammered 13 goals between them to increase the relegation pressure on two clubs at the weekend, writes Bob Cypher.

Sudbrook thrashed FC Tredegar 9-0 while Mathern beat Marshfield 4-2, Sudbrook replacing Abertillery in second place behind Wattsville and Mathern taking seventh place.

Sudbrook boss Daryl Cann admitted FC Tredegar might have carried an unknown threat to Mill Lane.

“We didn’t really know what to expect from Tredegar as they announced via social media on Friday that their second team had been forced to fold due to lack of player commitment,” Cann explained.

“But I had a strong squad with only four regulars unavailable.

“Tredegar were set up to defend with a 5-4-1 formation but we were fast out of the blocks and scored four times in the first half.

“Jason Thorn was on fire again, scoring four and claiming two assists, Richie Lloyd was back on the scoresheet with two goals and an assist and Keenan Perrett also scored and laid on another with Tom Turner and Dave Skinner adding the other two.

“We played some class football, exactly what we needed after what felt like a loss to Mathern the other week.

“Confidence is high in time for this weekend’s game against Abertillery who look like title favourites. Bring them on!”

Mathern boss Lee Baker said his team gained, lost and then regained control of the match against Marshfield after going a goal down early on.

“We started really slowly and were punished for it,” he admitted later.

“But we woke up and got ourselves back in the game when Luke Farley finished after good play by Jordan Bibby on the right.

“Jordan put us ahead and we were on top, playing well and were well in control

“But after missing a couple of chances early in the second half Marshfield looked threatening on the break and caught us out with a 40-yard lob to make it 2-2.

“The game became scrappy but we regained control and Elliot Greening picked himself up after being hacked down in the area to put us ahead from the spot and then Callum England made it 4-2 after more good work from Jordan Bibby.

“It was a very good win in the end. We had to dig deep as usual but we are more than competing with such a young side that is still learning."