Gwent Amateur Cup FC Tredegar 2 Caldicot Castle 1

THE last East Gwent team left in the Gwent Amateur Cup bowed out on Saturday as Caldicot Castle lost 2-1 at FC Tredegar.

Despite the loss, Castle boss Alex Hart was determined to take positives out of the game rather than allow the disappointment to get him down.

“The early kick off was challenging and being an away game restricted selection with a few boys working on a Saturday morning,” he said.

“We started well and probably shaded the first half with some incisive counter attacking football and after some sustained pressure we won a penalty which unfortunately was missed.

“That seemed to inspire Tredegar and came more into the game and we survived some sustained pressure to score a goal created from route one football when Dave Hayward’s clearance was flicked on by Craig McCluskey and Joe O’Brien slotted it home to take the lead.”

The weather worsened in the second half and, although Tredegar piled on the pressure, it was Castle who created clear-cut chances on the counter attack and “should have put the game to bed” according to Hart.

Castle’s stopper Hayward made a good save from a deflected shot, but Tredegar equalised with 15 minutes remaining.

“Our heads seem to drop after the goal and Tredegar gained renewed vigour chasing the winner which came two minutes from time.

“We couldn’t begrudge them the win as they were the better team but we did have the better chances. On another day it could have been a totally different result but we are not ruthless enough to finish teams off. We can take lots from the game into our league form and hopefully make a real push for promotion starting with a massive game against Blackrock Rovers next week.

Ironically Rovers boss Paul Lovell believes the game is coming at a bad time for his team.

“We have hardly had a game in the last six weeks and a local derby coming at a time like this, with a drop in form, make for a challenging fixture,” he said.

“It is nice that both teams are still in the mix for possible promotion because that gives the game an extra edge.

“It is also a great opportunity for me to gauge the desire and commitment of every player in our squad because if they can’t raise themselves for this game, they probably never will.”

Also in Division Three, Sudbrook begin a run of the three home games with the visit of West of St Julians. The following Saturday (23rd January) they entertain Rockfield Rovers and Race visit Mill Lane on 30th January.

In Division Two, Mathern are away to Lucas Cwmbran.