Tintern Abbey bounce back from two defeats

Division 2

TWO penalties helped Tintern Abbey bounce back from two defeats, securing a 4-3 home win over Chepstow Town, writes Bob Cypher.

After an evenly-contested start, the visitors opened up a two-goal lead thanks to strikes from Tom Stenson and Ty Hooper.

Tintern struck back when Mickey Brett pounced on some defensive indecision after a long goal kick to go round the keeper and tap into an empty net.

But Kris Gordon restored Chepstow’s two-goal lead with a fierce shot which flew into the the top corner.

Tintern reduced the arrears again when Geraint Reynolds broke free and was brought down in the box, the same player scoring the penalty to make it 2-3.

Taka Yamagata equalised for Tintern from just inside the box before the break and the second half saw both teams enjoying periods of possession without being able to dominate their opponents.

Keiron Patterson won, and clinically dispatched, a penalty to make it 4-3 to Tintern.

Town keeper Sean Canavan praised Stenson and Hooper for the quality of their goals.

“Tom’s strike was outstanding,” he said later.

“After holding off two challenges, he smashed the ball across the home keeper from the angle of the box, the pace of the shot giving them no chance.

“Ty’s goal was also a quality finish and Kris’ strike flew into the top corner to make it 3-1.

“But we missed chances and they equalised just before half time.

“The second half saw parity and the main difference was the impact of Tintern’s subs who, on a hot day, made the difference."

Tintern’s Darryl Reynolds said he thought the result was a little harsh on Town and praised home keeper Stuart Williams for a save worth two extra points.

“Stuart made an excellent one-on-one save to prevent an equaliser and ensure we bounced back from two straight defeats,” he said later.

“Our man of the match was Harry Hoskins, who came off the bench midway through the first half, and was excellent in midfield.”

Elsewhere, Thornwell Red & White B won 3-1 at Caldicot Castle B with Tony Reynolds grabbing two and keeper Dan Northey making good saves at key moments.

Thornwell’s Terry Woodward claimed an unusual “assist” after his shot was turned past his own keeper by Castle’s Jack Clayton.

“Special thanks to Jack, I’m definitely claiming an assist,” Woodward quipped later.

“We played some very good stuff on a bone-hard surface.

“Everyone put in a shift and Dan made a few important saves.

“Josh Walker started his first game for a while and Tony Reynolds was always a threat.

“The after-match curry was great too but it was a shame the referee scheduled to take the match didn’t arrive - the second time in a row that’s happened for us.

“It's hard for whoever takes the job on!”

In the other two matches in Division 2, Chepstow Athletic lost 3-1 at home to Caldicot Town and Sudbrook B beat Raglan 3-2.

Gwent Intermediate Cup

TWO of the four East Gwent League Division 1 teams are through to the next round of the new cup competition.

Thornwell Red & White A enjoyed a 5-1 home win over Malpas and Severn Tunnel went one better, keeping a clean sheet and scoring five at Riverside Rovers.

However, early Division 1 pacesetters Iscoed Tafarn were edged out 2-1 at home to Rassau and current champions Caldicot Castle lost 6-3 at Pontnewynydd.