Gwent County League Preview

FOLLOWING last week’s international break, local teams return to league action on Saturday with points on their minds.

In Division Three, leaders Sudbrook visit one-from-bottom Cefn Fforest and should improve their goal difference of 40 plus – a statistic that could prove vital at the end of the season.

Of the two other local clubs, fifth-from-bottom Caldicot Castle visit Rogerstone where a result would help boost their hopes of edging away from the relegation area.

Rogerstone are currently 10th with Castle 12th and two points behind, so an away victory could be crucial.

Castle will also hope Severn Tunnel return to winning ways at Mardy where a victory would benefit both local clubs as Mardy are ahead of Castle on goal difference although they are level on points.

Despite a promising start to their first season in the county league, Tunnel found goals hard to come by in October, failing to gain any points in the process so the managerial team of Ken Nurden and Marcus Jenkins need to find the solution soon if they are to avoid being dragged down into a relegation battle.

If Luke James can find the net with the same regularity he managed in the first few games of the season, Tunnel should be safe

Meanwhile, Division Two Mathern – currently sixth - face a potentially-difficult match at home to fourth-placed Spencer Youth and Boys Club who are only two points ahead so a victory will see them leap-frog their opponents.