Monmouthshire Windows East Gwent League

Division 1

LEADERS Rockfield Rovers earned a point at Iscoed Tafarn to stay ahead of the pack, writes Bob Cypher.

But Rovers have a slender three-point lead having played four more games than Thornwell Red & White A, who have a far superior goal difference.

Thornwell hit Caldicot Town 7-3, while at Underwood, the Iscoed Tafarn and Rockfield match ended 4-4.

The visitors arrived with 10 players and home boss Ashley Edinborough said his own players began with a complacent attitude.

“When the players saw they only had 10 men they seemed to think it would be an afternoon stroll and the first half was the worst performance I have ever seen,

“They were trying fancy flicks, no-look passes and by half time we were 4-1 down, and down to 10 men ourselves. Taylor Gregory scored our goal.

“I will keep my thoughts to myself on some of Rovers’ goals.

“In the second half, and with nothing to lose, we decided to turn up and start playing.”

At this point, Edinborough joined his men as a substitute which, in his words, “added a bit of bite into the midfield”, in a bid to get players going.

“I was a sort of super-sub,” he joked, and his contribution certainly helped save a point for his team.

“Danny Guerra danced through three players to strike a 20-yard beauty into the bottom corner, then I delivered a free-kick which caused havoc for Rovers’ keeper and Jamie Richardson tapped in the rebound,” Edinborough continued.

“The goal of the day, the equaliser, was a great team goal involving Jamie Green, Kyle Harrison, me and Earl Broomfield, who slotted it home.

“We had chances to win it but it was asking too much of ourselves after an awful first 45 minutes.”

This Saturday, the Division 1 teams will be out to earn a semi-final place in the CCL-sponsored Gill Cup, when Caldicot Town entertain Rockfield, Severn Tunnel welcome Iscoed Tafarn to Rogiet, Caldicot Castle A renew their acquaintance with title rivals Thornwell A, and Tintern Abbey host Undy Athletic.

In Division 2, the top-of-the-table clash between Chepstow Town and Sudbrook CC should be a cracker.

Other matches are Chepstow Athletic v Portskewett & Sudbrook, Monmouth Town v Caldicot Castle B and Thornwell B v Raglan FC.