THE Light Brigade rode to victory in the shadow of the old Severn Bridge last weekend.

Paul Light led the line as Division 2 leaders Chepstow Town B strengthened their position with a 2-1 win over Caldicot Town.

The game was the only match to survive the weekend's heavy rain because the pitch – at Beachley Army base – is well drained with a lower running track surrounding the pitch.

Chepstow took the lead through Matt Earley, were pegged back by a Rob Keates strike and then took all three points in the 85th minute with a piece of opportunism by leading scorer Dean Barnett.

Chepstow impressed from the start, with Light leading the charge through the middle and Earley supplying a stream of crosses from the right wing.

With Caldicot defending a high line, Light, Barnett and Earley had chances to open the scoring but some good goalkeeping by Caldicot's Louis Randle kept them out.

However, the home side were not to be denied and Earley won the race with Randle for a through-ball before slotting the ball home despite Caldicot skipper Matt Davies' efforts to clear.

Chepstow were unable to increase their lead despite a number of good chances and paid the price before half time when the ball ran loose for Keates to equalise.

The second half offered much of the same as a strong wind at their backs gave Chepstow an edge in terms of possession but they were unable to make it count with a second goal.

But it was by no means one-way traffic and Chepstow keeper Simon Martin had to move sharply to save shots from Oliver Bridgland and Jamie Gough.

With the match looking more likely to end in stalemate, another ball over the top dropped in no-man's land with Randle and the nippy Barnett racing for possession.

Randle reached the ball first but his clearance struck Barnett and fell invitingly for the striker to score his 10th goal of the season.

Caldicot's joint-manager and goalscorer, Rob Keates, said he felt the team was unlucky to lose.

"It was a very industrious performance but we were pipped at the end," he said.

"We played so well and lost to an unlucky goal. It could have gone either way, really.

"We didn't choose a specific man of the match as we felt every player was outstanding - and that goes for both sides.

"It was a well-contested derby by all players."

Chepstow's manager Dean Barnett also paid tribute to Earley and praised Caldicot.

"Matt Earley was definitely our man of the match and Caldicot were one of the best teams we have played so far and very competitive all the way through," he said.