SEVERN Tunnel warmed up for this Saturday's Amateur Cup match against Albion Rovers by thrashing Mathern FC A.

After both league matches between the two teams ended 1-1, this cup tie promised to be a tight

affair but Mathern only looked to be in the game for a few minutes either side of the break.

Sam Barrett put Tun- nel ahead after good work by the impressive Daryl Berry and minutes later, Kyle Swift made it 2-0.

But Mathern managed to gain a foothold in the match when Harry Ward nodded on a free kick for Wayne Duffield to despatch and when, just before the break, home skipper Nathan Wheeler saw his shot curl past the

far post, the visi- tors breathed again.

Wheeler found the net soon after the break though was ruled offside, but instead of moti- vating Mathern it seemed to spur Tunnel into greater efforts.

They won a free kick just outside the penalty box and Rhys Briscoe curled his shot over the wall and inside the post despite the Mathern keeper's despairing dive.

Berry made it 4- 1 soon after and then Marc Carter-

Selwood, brought into the side after impressing manag-

er Steve Duddridge in training and Tunnel's B team, made it 5-1.

Duffield scored his sec- ond but it counted for lit- tle as Mathern lost Harry Lewis through injury and with no subs available, 10-man Mathern faced a mountain to climb.

Berry scored his second and James Price was on hand for a three-yard tap-in to make it 7-2 before Mathern's misery was com-

pleted with an own goal in the final minutes.

Their manager Lee Baker summed it upinafew words.

"Tunnel wanted it and got what they deserved," he said. "We didn't and we got what we deserved."

Tunnel boss Duddridge said his men were full value for the victory.

"We were dominant for the majority of the game and I don't think the scoreline flattered us," he said.

"Daryl Berry and Chris Owram were outstanding and we gave Marc Carter- Selwood a chance after he impressed recently. It was an all-round excel- lent team performance."