Benevolent Cup quarter final - Chepstow Town 5 Sudbrook CC 4

A FINE penalty save and a last-gasp winner in the dying minutes booked Chepstow Town a place in the Benevolent Cup semi finals.

In a pulsating cup-tie that ebbed and flowed, Town beat Sudbrook CC 5-4. Sudbrook took an early two-goal lead but Chepstow reduced the arrears through Steve Smith. 

The Chepstow fight back was short-lived when Sudbrook made it 3-1 at the break but two substitutions produced an immediate impact as Rob Kennedy and a second for Smith levelling the score.

Despite having a full-back dismissed for two yellow cards, Town were creating chances but Sudbrook hit them on the break to go 4-3 up with 15 minutes left.

Chepstow equalised through Tom Philip and with extra time looming, a last-ditch tackle was adjudged to be illegal.

Sudbrook’s Zak Hitchens stepped up to take the penalty but Town keeper Sean Canavan dived full length to save and from the keeper’s clearance, Chepstow attacked and sub Wayne Bartlett scored the winner.

Underwood A booked their place by winning 2-0 at Rockfield Rovers with goals by Josh Downing and Dave Jackson and Underwood B beat Undy Athletic 3-0 with goals by Josh Edinborough (2) and Keiron Watkins to delight manager Craig Johnson.

“It was a tough game against a very strong Undy team but we showed we are more than capable of beating any team in East Gwent,” Johnson said later.

“Josh Edinborough had a slow start but then found his feet and scored two brilliant goals.

“Our defence was solid once again keeping another clean sheet with us now only having conceded one goal (a penalty) in the past five games.”

His opposite number, Undy boss Andrew Peacock, admitted Underwood had been the better side.

“There’s not a lot to say other than they deserved the win. We failed to create any real good chances while they managed to convert theirs,” he said.