Monmouthshire Windows

East Gwent League

CHAMPIONS Caldicot Castle will look to kick-start their season tonight following their defeat in the opener on Saturday, writes Bob Cypher.

Castle lost 3-1 at Iscoed Tafarn whose scorers were Josh Cod, Jermaine Allen and Jamie Green and tonight’s match at Severn Tunnel promises to be just as difficult.

Tunnel were 4-1 winners over Sudbrook CC A at Rogiet Sportsground and under their new, but vastly experienced, management team of Paul Lovell and Paul Light, optimism is high, especially as Will Morgan and Tom Atkins grabbed a brace apiece.

Castle will need to hit the ground running after Thornwell Red & White A registered an impressive 5-0 win Portskewett & Sudbrook A if they are to retain their Division 1 title.

Undy Athletic, whose first game at Monmouth Town was postponed on Saturday, are due to entertain Iscoed Tafarn tonight. All matches tonight kick off at 6.15pm.

In Division 2, Caldicot Town beat Chepstow Town 5-3 with Harrison Thomas, Tom Philp and Matt Owen scoring for the visitors.

Relegated Tintern Abbey opened their campaign with a 2-1 victory at Caldicot Castle B and Raglan took the scoring honours by beating Portskewett & Sudbrook B 10-1.

Raglan’s marksmen were Ellis Jenkins, Coby Dawson (3), Matthew Bishop (pen), Josh Phillips (2), Sam Vaughan (2) and Alex Davies.

Raglan boss Simon Williams was naturally delighted at the scoreline and his team’s performance.

“It was a superb display of keep-ball football from a well-drilled Raglan outfit with a couple of new signings,” he said later.

“The team played outstandingly and looked comfortable in possession, not giving the opposition an inch.

“Josh Phillips was our man of the match.”

Raglan do not have a match tonight but Chepstow Town entertain Thornwell B whose 4-1 win over visitors Chepstow Athletic on Saturday was particularly pleasing for manager Keith Tipper.

“We played really well against a good Chepstow athletic team who were young and very fit," he said.

“I think we controlled the game for a good 75 per cent of the time and I’m very happy to start with a win, especially at home.”

The goals came from the evergreen Kenny Vidler (2), Tony Reynolds and Kyle Gettings.

Also tonight, Castle B take on Port & Sud B while Caldicot Town entertain Sudbrook CC B.