MATHERN FC and Blackrock Rovers will have an extra incentive to win their Amateur Cup Second Round tie this weekend after both lost their league matches.

The Gwent County League Division 2 outfits are drawn against each other in the cup competition and both managers will be keen to put the defeats behind them.

Mathern went down 2-0 at second placed Llanhilleth Athletic while Rovers also lost 3-1 at Spencer Youth.

"We were without four regular first team players and missed two penalties," explained Mathern boss Dean Thomas.

"It was a pretty even match played on a rugby pitch which didn't suit our style of play, but all our players gave 100 per cent effort and on another day, with a little bit of luck, we could have won," he added.

In Division 3, Rockfield Rovers won 4-0 at home to Thornwell

Red & White thanks to a masterstroke by manager Dave McDonald.

"We were without eight regulars so I called up some squad players and a couple of new signings made their debuts," he said.

"I played centre back Jack Jones upfront and he scored all four of our goals.

"Nick Brown and Craig Davies made good debuts and I will have more players available for this weekend's Amateur Cup tie at home to Croesyceiliog."

Caldicot Castle will be in league action at Nantyglo on Saturday, hoping to do better than they did at home to Tranch at the weekend when they let a two-goal lead slip.

Manager Dave Adamson said his players showed a lack of concentration and fitness to let Tranch back into the game.

"We went ahead in the first half with a Richard Regulski penalty after James McKeon was fouled,"

he said.

"The second half

was fairly even and we made it 2-0 with 20 minutes to go when Connor Maclennan scored but they were

awarded a penalty for handball to make it 2- 1 equalised in the last five minutes.

"A lack of concen- tration and fitness proves costly."