Govilon - 9

Cefn Fforest - 2

GOVILON recovered from their midweek setback against Blaenavon Blues with a resounding win over their north Gwent rivals - who must have thought they were returning home with some reward after storming to a 2-0 lead within the opening 20 minutes.

Richard McCarthy put Govilon back into the game ten minutes later with a deft flick which found the bottom corner and in the next minute Dean Morgan cancelled the arrears when his low shot beat Rob Birch in the Cefn goal.

Five minutes from half time Govilon had the lead for the first time when Matthew Ham fed McCarthy who cleverly let the ball run to Dean Morgan, who was able to pick his spot to beat Birch, and as the half time whistle approached it was Morgan again twisting and turning in the box before firing past Birch to grab a first half hat trick.

Early in the second half McCarthy was soon in the thick of the action and it was from his run and cross into the box that Craig Thomas was able to guide the ball past Birch to give 'The Badgers' a three goal cushion.

Dean Morgan was next on the score sheet squeezing between two defenders to place his shot with ease and five minutes later he set up Richard McCarthy who grabbed his second of the game.

Paul Jenkins fired into the side netting in a rare Cefn Fforest attack before Morgan punished them again on the hour again beating Birch with a well placed shot.

There was still time for him to emulate his first half feat and complete a second half hat trick when a Lewis Meadows cross left Birch stranded as Morgan hit his easiest goal of the day.

On Saturday Govilon travel to face Cefn Forest (3.00pm) as they work their way through a series of postponed fixtures, and are next at home for a midweek fixture againt Pentwynmawr Athletic (6.30pm) on Tuesday 20 April.

Blaenavon Blues - 1

Spencer Youth and Boys - 1

FOLLOWING the excellent midweek win against Govilon, the Blues welcomed fellow strugglers Spencer Youth and Boys club to the Co-op field for a vital Gwent County Division One fixture which ended honours even.

The Blues were the far better side during the first half and the best of the chances fell to the excellent Marc Browning who has been a revelation since stepping up to the first team.

The midfielder made a great run into space and was found with a great pass from striker Darren Harris, but Browning's shot was well saved by the visiting keeper'.

While Spencer never created a clear-cut chance during the opening 45 minutes, they had a number of long range efforts that never troubled Blues keeper' Lee Jones.

The Blues started the second half as they had played most of the first half - dominating possession and territory.

Some great one touch football opened up the Spencer defence and a great though ball by Browning to Neil Cox allowed the striker to put a pin point cross into the box for his striker partner Harris to head home on the far post and give the Blues a deserved lead.

Moments later and the Blues should have been two in front when again some great one touch football opened up the Newport based side's defence only for Neil Cox's shot to be saved by the Spencer keeper.

The visitors came back at the Blues and soon got their reward when Blaenavon's defence switched off on a throw in and the Spencer winger fired home from the edge of the box. During the defensive mix up, Blues captain Lee Wathen took a bang to the head and had to be subbed, with 21 year old Darryl Brenton replacing him and joining other youngsters Brad Jones, Craig Tanner, Alex Bull, Josh Bull and James Cox.

Spencer could and should have won the game in the final minute when the Referee who had a very good game pointed to the spot in favour of the visitors. But Blues stopper Lee Jones was equal to the penalty with a great save low down to his left.

The Blues will be happy not to have lost a game against fellow strugglers and look forward to visiting Spencer Youth and Boys next Saturday in the return fixture.

 

Elsewhere in Gwent County Division One, after putting Blaenavon to the sword both home and away, the Mardy were narrowly beaten 1-2 by Abercarn United on the weekend and consequently still sit bottom of the table with relegation looming.

Meanwhile in Division Three, the Abergavenny Thursdays stormed to a 2-3 victory over Whiteheads.