East Gwent Senior League - Division One

UNDERWOOD A followed their Amateur Cup success with another superb performance at the weekend, winning 5-2 at leaders Mathern.

In a performance which Mathern boss Lee Baker described as “being steamrollered”, Underwood had virtually won the three points by half time, leading 3-0, and were totally in control.

Although Mathern scored twice after the break through Kyle Gettings and Wayne Duffield, they were mere consolation goals to help restore some pride and Underwood finished off the performance with a scrambled goal by Dave Jackson – his second of the match.

“We met a very defiant Underwood team that, quite frankly, steamrollered us in the first half,” Baker said later.

“They came out of the traps fast and aggressively and we had no answer to it, something which – credit to Underwood – hasn’t happened to us this season.

“We were 3-0 down at half time which was lucky, to be truthful.

“At half-time I asked for an honest performance and I think I got that. After we conceded an early goal soon after the break, we battled back to 4-2 but just left ourselves open as we threw everything forward.”

Baker sent on strikers in an effort to rescue a point.

“I wanted to put pride on our performance,” he explained.

“I think we rescued some pride after such a bad first half for us but well done to Underwood because they fully deserved their win.”

Elsewhere, Caldicot Castle A beat visitors Caldicot Town 3-0 thanks to goals from Matt Bevan, Dan Chambers and Richard Regulski in a performance described as “gritty and determined” by manager Mike Levett.

“Both teams played well but we came away with the three points,” he said later.

His opposite number, Town boss Nathan Thomas said his men never got going.

“We struggled to get our passing game going on a very difficult pitch,” he added. “We didn’t adapt and conceded two poor goals after missing two great chances and a penalty but I’m hoping we can bounce back next week.”

Elsewhere, Rockfield Rovers held out against late pressure and a Sam Gluning goal to beat visitors Tintern Abbey 2-1 and Undy Athletic and Thornwell Red and White drew 3-3.