Gwent County League Division Three - Blackrock 4 Wainfelin Bluebirds 0 (Match abandoned on 76 minutes)

BLACKROCK Rovers were cruising 4-0 against a Wainfelin side reduced to 10 men when the referee called a halt on 76 minutes, leaving the club to play 14 matches before the end of the season.

Rovers’ manager Richard Regulski was forced to pull on the keeper’s jersey when both his regulars were unavailable and he was pleased when the referee agreed the pitch was playable at the start.

“Wainfelin did have a moan about the pitch but if the score was the other way round they would feel a bit aggrieved to have it called off with such little time remaining,” he said later.

“I was probably the busier of the two keepers in the first half. We decided to play into the wind and 10 minutes before the break we broke the deadlock when a smart through ball from Zak Niblett gave Steve Wilson his first goal.”

Luke James made it 2-0 after good work by Wilson created space for an easy finish.

“The ref checked the pitch at half time and he and the two captains agreed to continue,” Regulski continued.

“Connor Bryant scored our third with a cross which sneaked in at the far post and that seemed to frustrate Wainfelin and their centre back was shown a straight red card for kicking out at Josh Fitton.

“Gaps started to appear and Steve Wilson scored his second and we had chances to increase our lead through Luke James and Gareth Taylor but after a Wainfelin player left the field due to the pitch, the ref abandoned the game.”

Despite the likelihood that Rovers will face midweek matches, Regulski said he was taking positives out of the game.

“I was very happy with how the team defended in the first half and how well we took our chances,” he said.

“Steve Wilson and our back four, Josh Fitton, Jamie Green, Scott Lovell and Zak Niblett, stood out. They were very solid and Steve was quality, involved in three of the goals showing how vital he is to us.

“Hopefully the league will see sense and give us the three points but I’m not sure entirely how it works.”