Monmouthshire Windows

East Gwent League, Division 1

CALDICOT Castle moved to the top of the table thanks to a 4-2 victory over Undy Athletic at the weekend, writes Bob Cypher.

Title rivals Iscoed Tafarn also enjoyed success in a 4-1 win at Rockfield Rovers thanks to goals from Josh Codd (2), Rob Williams and James May, while former table-toppers Monmouth Town Reserves were without a game.

Castle started brightly at Undy and went ahead through player-manager Joe O’Brien who collected a pass 25 yards out, shrugged off a tackle and rounded home keeper Tom Davies before scoring from the edge of the area.

Kyle Woods went close with a header before Jake Withey added the second, his looping header eluding Davies’ desperate attempt to tip it over the bar.

The visitors didn’t have it all their own way and Sean Marsh - deputising for Dave Hayward in Castle’s goal - made a number of timely interventions.

With skipper Craig McCluskey and Rich Withey in good form Castle were able to maintain their advantage until the break

O’Brien added the third before a clash in midfield led to referee Carl Arthur showing a player from either side a red card.

Undy brought on Steven Kockaya, who was making his first appearance for the club, and within minutes he marked his debut with a goal, beating Marsh from 10 yards.

Withey scored his second soon after to restore Castle’s two-goal advantage before Luke Smith ran free to score Undy’s second.

O’Brien was pleased with his team’s performance.

“It was good but we should have scored more - I didn’t have my shooting boots on today,” he said.

But he had strong feelings about the dismissals.

“I didn’t see the events leading up to it all and it seemed a bit of ‘handbags’, but our player has come out of it with a black eye.

“It was a shame for our player because he was playing well and it rocked us back for a few minutes, especially with them scoring.

“But we were strong and determined and we go again away to Race FC in the third round of the Amateur Cup this Saturday.”

In other fixtures, Portskewett & Sudbrook won 5-3 at Sudbrook CC A (Zak Hitchens 2 and Richard Burrows), while the Thornwell v Tunnel match was postponed.

Port & Sud entertain Cefn Forest in the Amateur Cup this Saturday.

League matches are Undy at home to Sudbrook CC, Monmouth Town Reserves take on visitors Severn Tunnel and Thornwell welcome Iscoed Tafarn with the prospect of all-change at the top.

Tafarn are a point behind Castle with a game in hand, Town are two points adrift of Castle while Thornwell are seven points behind Castle with two games in hand.