WELSH LEAGUE PREVIEW

26 April 2005

Newport YMCA and Tredegar Town, now both in promotion positions, tonight look to strengthen their claims to climb into the Motaquote Insurance Welsh League Division One, both at home to Pontyclun and Bryntirion respectively, writes Ray Parker.

YM have player-coach Darren Porretta back in their squad, returning from holiday while  Martin Phillips, who suffered a thigh strain in the win at Penrhiwceiber on Saturday, has passed a fitness test and full back Steve James is also available.

John Lewis, Tredegar manager, said: “It is a game they must win and one we must not lose. There could be a few more twists and turns before the season is completed but we have got ourselves into a terrific position simply because we have approached games properly.”

Tredegar have now won five successive matches, the returning Ryan Durham scoring the crucial goal in a 1-0 home win against Seven Sisters, a game where a number of players were missing for varying reasons, Ian Morris, Nicky Ward, Jamie Thomas, Ross Mazurczak and Lawrence Davies.

In Division Three it is a much more dismal picture with Gwent sides occupying four of the bottom five places. Fields Park-Pontllanfraith, second from bottom, make the journey to Chepstow while Risca, immediately above them but five points better off, are at home to Pentwyn.

However, on a brighter note, Croesyceiliog, chasing promotion, are at home to AFC Porth while leaders Troedyrhiw face a difficult task at Cardiff side Caerau (Ely) who are in fourth place.

A penalty five minutes from full-time by Mark Ingles gave leaders Newport YMCA a 1-1 home draw with challengers Dinas Powys last night in the Motaquote Insurance Welsh League, Reserve Division (East).

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

25 April 2005

NEWPORT YM and Tredegar Town kept up their Motaquote Welsh League Division Two promotion pushes by securing vital victories at the weekend.

It was also a good day for Division Two strugglers Tillery, who hammered Ento Aberaman in one of the surprise results of the day.

Croesyceiliog kept up their own promotion aspirations in Division Three with a superb victory over local rivals Chepstow Town in a match that went right to the wire.

Newport YM continued to put the pressure on league leaders Pontardawe, winning 3-2 away at Penrhiwceiber in a pulsating match.

YM started like a house on fire, hammering home three first-half goals without reply in a display that boss Mark Coldrick described as “the best so far this season”.

However, tired legs and injured bodies did take its toll on Coldrick’s side, who conceded two goals in a second half that Coldrick described as “the worst so far this season”.

A true game of two halves, then, for YM, who opened the scoring early in the first period through Chris Egitto.

Fellow strikers Lewis Sommers and Aaron Stewart soon added to Egitto’s strike, and Coldrick admitted that for the travelling supporters it might have been “just like watching Brazil!”

But Penrhiwceiber were not going to give up and an early own goal in the second half from Gareth Lynch gave them a sniff.

The hosts were dominant throughout the second period and did score again, but a relieved YM held on.

It was less spectacular, but just as important down the road at Tredegar, where the hosts kept up the pressure on YM and increased the chances of a double Gwent promotion with a 1-0 victory over Seven Sisters.

It was a tough game for Tredegar, with manager John Lewis admitting that the visitors deserved more from the game.

“We are a bit like George Graham’s Arsenal at the moment,” Lewis explained, “we are winning without playing brilliantly, relying on our superior fitness and desire,” he added.

In typical George Graham fashion Tredegar’s goal did come from a set piece, with defender Ryan Durham heading home from a corner early in the second half.

In a fairly even match Seven Sisters did have chances to draw level, but ’keeper Chris Morris was Seamanesque in goal for Tredegar, who remain third.

At the other end of the table, Tillery produced a stunning fightback to hammer Ento Aberaman 7-3.

Tillery remain second from bottom despite the result, but confidence has been boosted after a series of good performances.

They found themselves 3-1 down at the interval, despite having plenty of the game, with only a David Smith goal keeping them in the match.

But in the second half Tillery were grateful to 16-year-old midfielder Chris Penny, who dominated the game with a free role in midfield.

The mecurial Penny was outstanding, prompting a wonderful fightback that saw Tillery score six second-half goals with reply.

Smith again scored for the home side, who also saw Matthew Price (2), Richard Langley (2) and Penny himself get onto the scoresheet.

Unfortunately for Tillery, relegation rivals Ammanford also won, 2-1 at home to Caldicot.

Caldicot did take the lead through Andrew Edwards in the first half, and Gareth Cullimore could have made it two but he struck the post.

This gave Ammanford the initiative and they seized it, scoring twice in the second half to boost their own survival bid.

In the big Gwent match in Division Three, Croesyceiliog secured a more than valuable 3-2 win at Chepstow.

Croesy joint manager Chris Evans admitted that this had been the game his side were most worried about, and sixth-placed Chepstow pushed them all the way.

Croesy took the lead after a Chris Watkins shot deflected into the path of Jody Jenkins, who easily slotted home.

They then scored a cracking second goal through James Stokes after fine work by Mark Alcott.

Chris Lilygreen almost instantly gave Chepstow a way back into the match at 2-1, but a second from Stokes again gave Croesy some breathing space.

Lilygreen again put his side back into the match at 3-2, but Croesy survived a grandstand finish to remain second in Division Three.

Evans commented: “We knew it would be a tough game, and so it proved, so we are elated to have secured the victory.

“We now move on to a run of home games, and with our proud record at home we have to look to pick up plenty of points.”

Fellow promotion hopefuls Treharris Athletic also won, 1-0 over Goytre.

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

21 April 2005

Newport YMCA and Tredegar Town maintained their relentless charge towards promotion from the Motaquote Insurance Welsh League Second Division with victories last night.

YM turned on the style to gain a 4-1 success at Caldicot while Tredegar triumphed 2-1 at home to Pontyclun.

YM are in second place, eight points behind leaders Pontardawe and with a game in hand, while Tredegar are fourth, two points off big spenders Pontypridd Town but with two games in hand.

Aaron Stewart, Martin Phillips, Lewis Sommers and an own goal gave YM their success with Sam Monday on target for Caldicot, Stewart setting YM on their way with a glorious goal after five minutes.

The YM success was marred by a back injury to Sean Pearce who was taken to hospital. Shane Williamson and Sean Mainwaring gave Tredegar a 2-1 home success and manager John Lewis said: “We were outstanding in the second-half.”

Treowen’s chances of gaining a promotion spot in Division Three are fading. They lost 2-1 at fourth-placed Treharris who are also looking to go up. Treowen fell behind to a Nigel Mahoney goal after 22 minutes but a minute later  levelled through Peter Thomas. Kevin Bounds got his 32nd goal of the season for Treharris in the 33rd minute.

Treowen were worth at least a point. Gavin Hughes hit a post in the 75th minute and they had two good penalty appeals turned down.

Four Gwent clubs are in the bottom five with Albion Rovers, whose home game with Penrhiwfer was postponed last night, at risk of losing their status. Goytre went down 2-1 at Troedyrhiw, Steve Collett scoring their goal.

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

18 April 2005

GWENT Motaquote Welsh League Division Two sides Newport YMCA and Tredegar and Division Three side Croesyceiliog maintained their promotion charge with wins on Saturday.

But in Division Two, relegation is now staring Llanwern in the face with Tillery also still in trouble while in Division Three Albion Rovers’ miserable run, which could cost them their league status, continued and they are now bottom.

Newport YMCA strengthened their promotion bid with vital wins over Bryntirion last Saturday and Garden Village in midweek and were not at their best against neighbours Llanwern.

But they were still good enough to grab the points with a 2-0 win although Llanwern were adamant YM’s opening goal inside two minutes, a header by striker Lewis Sommers from a cross by right wing back Steve Jones, followed a foul on their goalkeeper Chris Hart, but the officials allowed it to stand.

The second goal in the 25th-minute followed a goalmouth scramble with nobody certain who got the final touch, but it may have been an own goal by Tony Shier.

YMCA missed a few other good chances in the first half, but Llanwern ’keeper Hart made superb saves from Aaron Stewart and Sean Pearce in particular.

The second half was scrappy, YM ’keeper Matty Rees doing well to prevent Llanwern pulling a goal back as they showed improved form after changing formation.

“Promotion’s in our own hands. We just have to keep on winning,” said YM manager Mark Coldrick whose side travel to Caldicot on Wednesday.

Tredegar were worth more than their 1-0 win at Porthcawl, but manager John Lewis was happy enough. “It was a great result for us,” he said. “I’ll take seven more 1-0 wins in our remaining games as that will take us up.”

Lee Brooker wrapped up the points, heading home a Steve Edwards cross in the 34th minute.

Caldicot suffered their first home defeat since September when slipping to a 2-1 loss against  Garden Village.

Caldicot went two down inside ten minutes but pulled a goal back after 15 when central midfielder Kel Stevens sent a left foot shot into the top corner.

Garden Village striker Ben Brown was a constant threat to the Caldicot defence with his physical presence while Caldicot, despite playing some good football, threatened little in the final third.

Bottom club Tillery took a fifth-minute lead at Morriston when striker Richard Langley shot home from an acute angle from 12 yards, but still went down 3-1.

Croesyceiliog were without a couple of their best players, injured in their Gwent Senior Cup defeat by County in midweek, but were still 2-0 home winners against Cwmamman.

They remain firmly on course for Division Two while their second team clinched the Newport and District League Premier Y title on Saturday and are also in that league’s Senior Bowl final.

Ryan Fahey slotted home from the edge of the box after a nice move to give Croesyceiliog a 15th-minute lead on Saturday but they missed chances to have killed the game off after that.

But with twenty minutes left they moved centre half Adie Pearce to centre forward and he headed in a floated free kick by Mark Allcock.

In Division Three Goytre grabbed a 2-1 home win over Blaenrhondda.

Kevin Wallace gave them the lead midway through the first half with a 25 yards free kick. Within two minutes Blaenrhondda had equalised, but Andy Walsh scored the winner with twenty minutes to go, tucking in at the far post after a free kick across the six-yard box.

Goytre followed up with a 2-0 defeat at Ystradgynlais yesterday.  Seventh-place Treowen believe they can still clinch the division’s third promotion spot, despite missing two penalties and being held to a 1-1 draw at home by Chepstow, who are three points above them.

They are still in the equation because they have to play other promotion-chasing sides, but will need better luck and better finishing. “You can’t complain after missing two penalties,” said manager Richard Davies. “The first hit the bar and the second went so wide they are still looking for it,” he joked, Jeff Reynolds the unfortunate penalty-taker on both occasions.

“We hit the bar four times, one effort rebounding back against the bar,” he said, “but they had one clear cut chance and scored.”

Nicky Vassallo gave Chepstow a 20th-minute lead with a header from a cross following good work by Paul Light. Carl Pullen equalised with 15 minutes to go.

Risca had 70% possession but did not create much and slipped to a 1-0 home defeat by AFC Porth, who scored early in the second half.

Albion Rovers fought bravely but lost 2-0 at promotion favourites Troedyrhiw and sank to the foot of the table because previously bottom Fields Park scored an excellent 3-1 home win over Penrhiwfer.

In Division One Caerleon lost 2-0 at relegation threatened Ely Rangers, who added another vital win to a midweek success.

“It was the worst we’ve played all season,” said Caerleon assistant manager Brendon Dowd. “It was a waste of a Saturday afternoon. We couldn’t string two or three passes together and managed only four shots all game. They weren’t much better but were a bit more organised. Perhaps I’ll get a game at home to Gwynfi tomorrow!”

WELSH LEAGUE PREVIEW

15 April 2005

LLANWERN have four games to save themselves from suffering a second successive relegation in the Motaquote Insurance Welsh League.

They are third from the bottom of Division Two and their remaining matches include meeting two of the bottom four teams, Morriston and Seven Sisters.

But they start their rearguard action this afternoon at Newport YMCA who are looking to gain a place in Division One.

Laurence Owen, Llanwern manager, said: “We have got to take nine points out of a possible 12 – and it all starts at the YM.

“It was disappointing to lose at leaders Pontardawe in the week after going in front and having a chance to add a second goal.

“But if we played as well as we did in the first-half against other teams we would have been picking up points.”

Tredegar Town are also in the promotion chase with five of their seven remaining games at home, their run-in starting with a seaside trip to Porthcawl, the only player missing being Rhys Carpenter who is abroad but will be available for Tuesday’s home game with Pontyclun.

John Lewis, Tredegar manager, said: “I would be happy to win the games 1-0. Now it is not about being entertaining and the boys all know that.”

Treowen look to achieve the double over Chepstow and keep alive their hopes of darting into the Third Division promotion places – but they’re facing a tall order.

The Newbridge-based club, who won 3-0 at Chepstow earlier this month, have nine games left – and six of them are away.

After three successive victories they suffered a setback in midweek, beaten at Blaenrhondda.

At the other end of the table Goytre are all smiles after climbing out of the relegation zone, gaining a fourth successive league win in midweek, away to Cwmamman.

But they face a demanding weekend with two games in as many days, at home to Blaenrhondda tomorrow and on Sunday a trip to Ystradgynlais.

Caerleon, their place in Division One assured, travel to Ely Rangers who are still in a precarious position.

They are third from bottom  – Garw and Gwynfi well adrift – but with the amalgamation of Neath and Skewen only two clubs are expected to drop.

The winners of tomorrow’s tie between Caerleon and Newport YMCA will face Ely Rangers in the semi-finals of the Ace Window Systems Cup. And the final could produce an all-Gwent affair because in the other semi-final, Caldicot face Cardiff Corries.

The Welsh League have decided to have an Under-19 division next season, the majority of the teams springing from the MacWhirter National Youth League. They made overtures to them after the Football Association of Wales jettisoned the well-established youth set-up and placed them under the jurisdiction of the South Wales FA, a move which upset the league which resulted in a failed appeal.

Already a total of 19 teams have made their move to join the new league and it may be that the youth section could be split into two sections with a cup competition to boost fixtures.

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

13 April 2005

Newport YMCA moved into a promotion slot following their 2-1 away win over Garden Village last night in Division Two of the Motaquote Insurance Welsh League. YM are now four points behind second-place big spenders Pontypridd who are running out of matches.

YM, with four games in hand over Pontypridd came from behind, former Newport County player Andrew Mumford scoring direct from a free-kick. Phil Tranter struck an early second half equaliser and YM were in luck when Mark Lloyd sliced the ball into his own net.

Llanwern, who face YM on Saturday, suffered another setback in their battle against relegation, beaten 3-1 at champions-elect Pontardawe – but Llanwern were ahead at the interval, Marcus Power giving them an early lead.

Llanwern keeper Mark Evans saved a penalty from Jamie Rickard, but two minutes into the second half they conceded a spot-kick and this time Steve Stone made no mistake. Pontardawe took the lead with a spectacular goal from Marc Otten and Jamie Bowen gained a late third.

Goytre have been paired with Pontardawe in the semi-finals of the Shamrock Travel Cup. The other tie is between Briton Ferry and Goytre United, dates and venues to be decided.

YM WELL TO THE FOUR

11 April 2005

NEWPORT YMCA gained a cracking 4-0 away win against top-four rivals Bryntirion in Division Two of the Motaquote Insurance Welsh League on Saturday.

YMCA went ahead after five minutes through Aaron Stewart and dominated the opening 20 minutes. The score stood at 1-0 at the interval.

YM again scored early at the start of the second half through Steve James, Phil Tranter got the third, and with ten minutes left Lewis Sommers had a simple tap- in.

It could have been even more but for some fine saves by the home 'keeper. It still avenged a defeat by exactly the same margin at home earlier in the season, and it maintained their promotion challenge.

Tredegar Town are still in the hunt on the same number of points as YMCA after their 1-0 home win against Gwent rivals Caldicot.

Tredegar went ahead after five minutes through Steve Edwards after a long pass by Ross Mazurczak to Edwards, who took the ball in his stride to put it round the 'keeper.

Tredegar were on top for the rest of the half, but the second half was tight and the young Caldicot side went close on a few occasions, but Tredegar had their chances through Shane Williamson and Lee Brooker, only to fail to take them, and had to be content with the one-goal advantage at the end.

Llanwern didn't do their hopes of avoiding relegation much good when they lost 2-1 at Merthyr Saints, though they were without strikers Carl Baugh, Lee Stewart and Kieran Porter.

Llanwern went behind in the 55th minute, but equalised through a goal by skipper Greg Taylor and went for the winner. Marcus Power had an effort disallowed for offside after a 20-yard angled shot, but the home side broke away and scored the winner with nine minutes left.

In Division One Caerleon were held to a 2-2 draw by Briton Ferry. Caerleon conceded an early goal through poor defending, but Chris Pearce missed a penalty, though he made amends by getting the equaliser after volleying in a cross.

Caerleon went ahead through a penalty by Denis Spiteri for a foul in the box after an hour, only for the visitors to equalise from a corner when the home 'keeper dropped the ball from a cross and the ball ended up in the back of the net.

Croesyceiliog boosted their hopes of promotion from the Third Division with a 2-1 away win against Albion Rovers, at the same time pushing their Gwent rivals deeper into trouble at the foot of the table.

It was scoreless at the interval, thanks to the Albion 'keeper, then Michael Lewis put Croesy ahead and Jodie Jenkins scored his first goal for the club to make it 2-0 before Albion replied near the end.

Chepstow's hopes of going up suffered a severe blow when they were beaten 3-0 at home to Ystradgynlais.

But Treowen won 3-2 at Cwmamman after going a goal behind midway through the first half. But they equalised through an Andrew Speed goal, heading home from a corner.

In the second half Treowen stormed ahead through goals by Speed again, and John Williams, but conceded a late goal. They gained the spoils despite a fairly sloppy performance.

Fields Park Pontllanfraith remain bottom, a point behind Albion, despite gaining a 2-2 draw at Gwent rivals Risca.

The wind affected the game, Risca having the advantage in the first half, but Pont still took the lead when a free kick wasn't cleared and Jason Lintern scrambled the ball home.

Ten minutes later Risca drew level through Shaun Drinkwater and took the lead through an Andy Gay 30-yarder, which screamed into the top corner. The home side scored again after a defensive mistake. Pont then had the wind advantage, and Tim Hayes went through and had his shot blocked, but tapped the rebound in.

Ten minutes from the end Risca 'keeper Matthew Long was sent for a second yellow card, but Pont couldn't press home their advantage.

Goytre AFC achieved a valuable 2-1 away win over rivals Llantwit Fardre, both near the foot of the table, their third successive win to haul themselves further away from the danger zone.

Goytre fell behind halfway through the first half, but Steve Collett equalised from a corner and skipper Dean Taylor got the winner for the second week running, again from a corner.

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

7 April 2005

Caerleon wasted a golden opportunity of recording a swift double over mid-table rivals Bettws in the Motaquote Insurance League, Division One at Cold Bath Road last night.

Caerleon, holding a two-goal half-time lead, conceded three second-half goals, including a late penalty, and suffered a 3-2 defeat.

But they couldn’t complain because for most of the game Bettws were the better side and Caerleon finished up with ten men.

Matthew Smith was sent off five minutes from the end of a nerve-wracking second-half for the Caerleon faithful when he made a clumsy penalty area challenge on Chris Davies and the confident Jon Wile whacked home a penalty after sparking Bettws’ revival with a 58th-minute opening goal.

In between his two efforts, Dave Penikett equalised with ten minutes remaining.

Bettws were the better side in the opening half hour on a night where an unpredictable high wind made life difficult but both sides mastered the conditions quite well to provide an entertaining game.

There was little sign of good finishing by Bettws and finally Caerleon started to believe in their ability when Steve Arthur had a shot blocked and from a cross by David Griffiths, following a short corner, central midfield player Arthur gave Caerleon a 35th-minute lead.

Six minutes later Caerleon extended their advantage with a gem from Chris Pearce who punished Bettws for their indiscipline, conceding a free-kick on the edge of the penalty and Pearce’s execution was worthy of a higher stage.

David Griffiths, Caerleon manager, was understandably deflated by the defeat and said: “This was our most disorganised display of the season."

“In the first-half we were not organised for 30 minutes but did really well to get 2-0 up and we just needed to carry on where we left off."

“But the players didn’t take responsibility, couldn’t organise and we were second to everything. I was very, very disappointed."

“I know we changed our formation and I take responsibility for that but too many people went into a shell and having gone above Bettws with our win at their ground on Saturday, we’ve now slipped behind them.”

Caldicot are through to the final of the Gwent Senior Cup – thanks to the brilliance of goalkeeper James Smallcombe who made two super saves in last night’s penalty shoot with Goytre to decide the semi-final victors.

Extra time could not split Caldicot, from the Welsh League, Division Two, and Goytre, battling to keep their place in Division Three.

They were all square at 1-1 after 90 minutes following a goalless first-half and it was 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes and 2-2 at the end of extra time.

In a tie full of drama, Caldicot went through 5-4 on spot-kicks. They missed one penalty – hitting a post – but Smallcombe carried them through with two stunning stops.

Caldicot went in front after 48 minutes from a direct free-kick struck by Kel Stevens but Goytre equalised five minutes later through Kevin Wallace who found the net during a goalmouth scramble.

Five minutes into the second period of extra time Goytre went ahead with a Darren Haines penalty and in nail-biting finish Gareth Cullimore took the tie into a penalty shoot-out with an equaliser two minutes from the end of extra time.

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

6 April 2005

Treowen gave a three-star first-half display at Chepstow last night to enhance their Motaquote Insurance Welsh League, Division Three promotion hopes.

Treowen, with games in hand, emerged 3-0 winners to end Chepstow’s seven-match unbeaten run.

A stunning save from Treowen keeper Andrew Diggle in the 25th minute, keeping out Nicky Vassallo’s header from Paul Light’s free-kick turned the game. It inspired Treowen who took the lead three minutes later when Dai Stephenson beat goalkeeper Nicky Church despite offside protests from Chepstow. Two minutes later a very smart finish from Richie Molyneux put Treowen in a very strong position and seconds from the break John Williams added a third.

Fields Park-Pontllanfraith are battling to preserve Welsh League status but they suffered a 5-1 defeat at Pentwyn Dynamo who scored four times after the break. Fields Park fell behind  but Ben Dimond equalised before the break.

Luckless Fields Park suffered a blow before the game when young goalkeeper Lyn Bancroft was hurt in the pre-match warm-up and then suffered another bump during the match. 

David Griffiths, Caerleon’s player-manager, had his first full run-out of the season and celebrated with a 2-1 home win over Chepstow in the Reserve Division (East). James Bubella and Richard Snook scored for Caerleon.

Caerleon, unbeaten in three matches, look for a swift Division One double over Bettws tonight having won away on Saturday. Dennis Spiteri, Troy Quarterly and brother Todd are not available while Luke Cueto plays for the youth team against Cwmbran in the MacWhirter National Youth League.

However, on the plus side, Adriano Girolami, Matt Smith and Richard Shier return.

Goytre, on the road to climbing to safety in Division Three, are at Caldicot tonight bidding to find a place in the Gwent Senior Cup final.

WELSH LEAGUE ROUND-UP

4 April 2005

NEWPORT YMCA stamped out their Welsh League Division Two promotion intents on Saturday with a 9-0 demolition of relegation battlers Tillery.

Lewis Summers helped himself to four goals, while Aaron Stewart, Louis Walsh, Phil Tranter and Chris Egitto also hit the target to keep YM fourth in the table.

“I was pleased for the lads,” said YM boss Mark Coldrick. “We have been threatening to get a few goals for some time and it is good for the lads that they have managed to do that."

“Unlike last season, where we relied on others’ results, promotion is still in our own hands, and if we win eight of the last ten, we will go up."

“If we win all ten then we would be in with a shout for the title and that is what we have got to aim for."

“There is no point sticking nine goals in one week and slipping up the next.”

Elsewhere in the division Caldicot came from behind to defeat Porthcawl.

Late goals by Wayne Morley and an injury-time winner by David Lloyd secured the points.

In Division One Caerleon continue to climb the table after their 2-1 victory at Bettws to leap-frog them in the table.

Dave Griffiths’ men were two up before the break through a Ryan Andrews double, the first a dipping shot and the second a glancing header after some good work by Chris Pearce.

The hosts got one back with 15 minutes to go, but strong defensive work saw them home.

“It is important to set targets, whether it be points or bringing in young players,” Griffiths said. “We want to finish in the top half of the table and have 40- plus points on the board.

“Saturday was a good performance, especially in the first half, when we played into the wind."

“We told the lads we wanted 15 points from the last ten games and we are well on the way.”

In Division Three Croesyceiliog are gunning for the title after their 3-2 victory at home to Treharris. But they had to sweat after going three goals up through a Chris Watkins screamer and goals from Murana Waite and Ryan Farhey.

With ten minutes remaining goalkeeper Pat Hagan was sent off and the visitors hit twice in a minute to set up a difficult closing spell.

“It was a tremendous result for us,” said secretary Martyn Jones. “It was a nervy finish after we were coasting at 3-0 up."  “We were without five regulars, which made it an even better result."

“We have not lost at home in two and a half seasons and the lads are determined to win the league.”

Chepstow are still eyeing promotion and defeated rivals Penrhiwfer 2-1 away from home. They took the lead with a Nicky Vassallo penalty, but were pegged back when the hosts also converted a spot kick before half-time.