Gwent County League Division Three - Severn Tunnel 2 Mardy 1

SEVERN Tunnel recorded their first three GCL points on a windswept pitch at Rogiet to delight manager Ken Nurden.

The newly-promoted side bounced back from an earlier defeat at Brynmawr in a spirited performance that showed they can do well this season.

“It was a great all-round performance from every player,” Nurden said later.

But it could have been so different after Tunnel lost their keeper Tom Pickin.

Widely recognised as one of the best keepers around, Pickin bravely dived at the feet of an on-rushing Mardy forward and came off worse, with a knee injury.

After receiving treatment, Pickin continued for a few minutes before signalling to the bench that he needed to come off.

“We are not sure how severe the knock is,” Nurden continued, adding that Pickin was a doubt for Tunnel’s third game due to be played last night at home to Machen.

Although the loss of Pickin was a blow, the manager replaced his keeper with striker Chris Taylor and Tunnel’s players seemed to be in a more purposeful and determined mood.

Despite both teams missed chances, the deadlock was broken when Jordan Thomas rifled an angled shot across Mardy’s keeper from just inside the penalty area.

Both teams created and wasted chances in the remainder of the first half but with the swirling wind and rain lashing the players, the feeling was that one goal would not be enough to secure three points.

After the break, new signing Luke James made it 2-0, riding a tough tackle from behind which would have sent many players sprawling, before prodding the ball past the advancing keeper.

James, one of the players whose previous club Blackrock Rovers, disbanded during the summer was mobbed by his new teammates and was a major contender for Nurden’s man of the match.

“The goals by Jordan and Luke were excellent, but Olly Jones gets my vote for a superb performance,” the manager added.

Mardy cut the deficit and mounted a number of threatening attacks in search of an equaliser but Tunnel’s defence held firm and kept them out for the all-important victory.