Monmouthshire Windows East Gwent League round-up

THORNWELL Red & White A beat lowly Caldicot Castle B 10-2 at the weekend to help reduce the goal difference advantage held by leaders Caldicot Castle A, writes Bob Cypher.

Despite being 13 goals adrift of Castle, Thornwell's players are confident that goal difference will not decide the title issue, believing they can win on Castle's home patch later in the season.

Once again Kenny Vidler hit a hat-trick, with Dan Hines (3), Andy Taylor, Terry Woodward, Andrew Skuse and Matthew Pearce weighing in with the others.

"It was a good win for us and we played some good football on a poor pitch," said Woodward later.

"All the lads enjoyed it though and our man of the match was Chris Rees."

James Lopategui and Dan Chambers scored for Caldicot Castle B.

In other games, Tintern Abbey and Mathern shared eight goals in a classic 'match of two halves'.

Mathern took the lead in the second minute through Nick Wright but Tintern fought back and Terry Hollow equalised before Geraint Reynolds, making his return after a lengthy injury lay-off, put the home side ahead.

The same player increased the lead before Steve Morgan made it 4-1.

As half-time approached, Ashley Pierce headed Mathern's second and, soon after the restart, with Mathern on top, the same players made it 4-3. Then Wright grabbed his second, reacting quickest when the ball ran free in a goalmouth scramble to stab home the equaliser.

With 30 minutes still to play, both teams went in search of a winning goal but were denied.

After the match Tintern boss Martin Woodford said the point gained was enough to ensure Division One football for the rest of the season.

"After dominating the first half, we were a little disappointed not to gain three points but Mathern were as dominating in the second half so they probably feel the same way," he said.

"Perhaps fitness could be an issue and it is something we will work on ahead of this Saturday's game at Thornwell."

Elsewhere, Portskewett & Sudbrook drew 3-3 with visitors Chepstow Athletic while Underwood Athletic enjoyed a 6-0 home victory over Thornwell Red & White B, although the visitors' manager Keith Tipper was less than happy with what he described as an ill-tempered match.