TWO "schoolboy errors" dashed Thornwell's hopes of pulling further away from the drop zone in this Gwent County League Division 3 clash last weekend.

After a fine 3-2 victory at Ponthir and a battling draw at Pontnewydd, manager Steve Bidmead was hoping home advantage would earn them a vital three points.

When the home side took an early lead through Tom Chappell, it looked to be very much on but within two minutes, a hopeful punt from deep in Rovers' half sailed over the last line of Thornwell's defence and as keeper Jack Hopkins came out to gather the ball, Scott Skipp thundered a half-volley into the unguarded net.

The setback seemed to unsettle the home side and Rovers piled on the pressure, pushing their opponents back with strong, probing runs by George Ryley and Daniel Lane.

With Hopkins making two good saves and Daniel Cucos and Simon Jones in good form, the half ended all-square but within minutes of the restart, Ryley put the visitors ahead.

When he added his second to make it 3-1, it was obviously going to be an uphill struggle to salvage anything from the game.

Chappell ploughed a lonely furrow but too often he was left on his own – apart from three Rovers defenders.

Thornwell sent on subs in an effort to get at least one goal back but Lee Pszczola delivered the knockout blow with the fourth goal.

"I thought we played well in the first half and had more chances than Rovers," manager Bidmead said later.

"Rovers' second goal hit us for six soon after the break and our heads seemed to drop.

"Two schoolboy errors settled it for Rovers but we will pick ourselves up and be ready for next week. The lads know they didn't perform so I expect a win next week, at Rogerstone."

His opposite number, Rovers assistant manager Matthew Williams agreed that Thornwell had the best of the early exchanges.

"We started slowly but I think we played to our full potential and deserved to win," he said.

"I think George Ryley was our man of the match for his all-round contribution as well as his two goals.