Abergavenny Thursdays - 2

Pill Athletic - 3

LACKING their regular goalkeeper Anthony Morarty who was forced to pull out just prior to kick-off, the Thursdays produced a quality, if not a winning performance against Pill Athletic on Saturday.

Left with no alternative but to play outfielder Tamlin in goal, who performed admirably, making a string of first class saves, the Thursdays competed well in what was a good advert for Gwent County Division Three football.

Played at Pen-y-Pound, Pill drew first blood when they went ahead on the 20 minute mark with a well-taken goal that gave Tamlin no chance.

The Thursdays Simon Bailey was unlucky not to level scores when his free kick from 20 yards out was sent swerving around the wall and beating the keeper, only to smash against the post.

With the Thursdays growing in confidence, Josh Jones was on hand to score Abergavenny's first and put them on a level-playing field with the boys from Pill.

Ten minutes later Simon 'Titch' Bailey was pulled down in the penalty area and Shane Barry stepped up to smash in the Thursdays second.

Come the second-half and come Pill's first goal. From then on in Pill started pushing the ball around very well and it came as no surprise when they managed to edge in front with a good third goal.

Overall, despite the disappointing result, all the Thursdays boys delivered on the day, but a special mention must be made of the sterling performances put in by Renko in midfield and stand-in keeper Tamlin.

Cwmffrwdoer Sports - 2

Blaenavon Blues - 4

BLAENAVON Blues made it four wins out of five on Saturday with a resounding win against local rivals Cwmffrwdoer Sports.

And the Blues played so well that the final score of 2-4 flattered the home side somewhat. The 'Doer' goalkeeper Craig Williams made seven or eight outstanding saves when a goal looked the most likely outcome.

The Blues started this league game in dominant form playing with confidence after scoring four last week against Llandrindod Wells in the FAW Trophy.

Blaenavon took the lead when Richard Wakeling coolly finished past the 'Doer' keeper.

They then doubled their lead inside the opening twenty minutes when some superb one touch football created space for Liam Powell to finish with a superb header.

The Blues continued to dominate the first half and should really have scored more than their two goals.

The 'Doer' keeper denied central defender Matthew Cox with an excellent header from a Mike Waite corner.

The 'Doer' then came back into the game with ten minutes remaining in the first half but were unable to break down the Blues defence.

The Blues started the second half in spectacular fashion, and killed the game of within the opening five minutes when Ritchie Wakeling scored his second of the day and his seventh in his last three outings.

That was soon followed by the fourth of the afternoon when Darren Harris who worked tirelessly all afternoon on the left flank, beat several men before his shot come cross was met by Mike Waite whose header towards goal was saved by the keeper only for Waite to fire home the follow up.

After an hour's play on a boiling September afternoon, the Blues took their foot off the gas, which allowed the 'Doer' a glimmer of light, when Gaz Priest scored for the home club, when the Blues defenders were appealing for what looked a certain offside.

With ten minutes remaining the 'Doer' were given the chance to further reduce the arrears when the Referee awarded them a soft penalty, which was duly converted.

This week sees the Blues welcome third division outfit Sebastapol to the Co-op field in the second round of the County Motors Challenge Cup. kick off 2:30pm.

Undy Athletic - 2

Govilon - 2

GOVILON introduced their new signing, goalkeeper Andrew Llewellyn who signed in midweek from Rhymney AFC, for a trip to Undy that ended honours even.

Govilon started brightly with Jamie Laurent forcing a save from Brimble in Undy's goal, and then last season's Managers' Player of the Year Craig Thomas tested Brimble again from close range.

It was a set piece which finally opened up Undy and came when Robert Frost floated over a pin point free kick for Rhys Whiteman, back in the side after a three match ban, to head past Brimble. Matthew Ham came close to increasing Govilon's lead when his shot grazed the side netting, and had a hand in Govilon's second goal although it was Dean Morgan who got the decisive strike hooking past Brimble as half time approached.

Rhys Whiteman almost made it three pouncing on a defensive mis-kick only to see his shot go over the bar as Govilon settled for a 2-0 interval lead.

Slowly Undy began to feature as more of a threat in the second half, and Llewellyn had to make a fingertip save over the bar to keep his goal intact as the hour approached, but was undone when Undy scored with a fluke effort as an awkwardly flighted ball looped over him, clipped the upright and fell into goal.

More drama followed in the closing minutes when Undy were awarded a hotly contested corner from which they headed their equaliser, for what seemed at one stage, an improbable draw.

On Saturday Govilon begin the defence of the County Motors Challenge Cup with a tough away trip to AC Pontymister who are currently riding high in Division Two. Kick-off 2:30pm.

ELSEWHERE in Division One, a third from bottom Mardy were unlucky to lose out away to Abercarn United 1-0.

Meanwhile second-placed Clydach Wasps remain unbeaten so far this season after their match with Lliswerry ended in a 0-0 draw

IN Welsh League Division Three, Goytre finally hit their stride with a thundering 6-1 win at Plough Road over Garw.

Graham Mason led the charge with a hat-trick, with Chris Williams, Adam Roberts and Robert Surtees also on target.

Having now played seven, lost three, won three, and drawn one, Goytre will look to up the ante even further when they welcome Llantwit Fardre this Saturday.