Treowen Stars - 3
Blaenavon Blues - 2
BLAENAVON Blues narrowly failed to wrest the unbeaten Gwent County One title from league leaders Treowen Stars on Saturday after bouncing back in high style from a three goal deficit.
Treowen were first out of the blocks, and they were 2-0 up within 10 minutes, following some slack defending by the Blues.
The stars increased their lead to 3-0 within 15 minutes when the Treowen attacker tapped in from six inches out from what looked like a foul on the Blues keeper.
Blues reverted to a 4-4-2 formation and within a matter minutes took the game to Treowen. With Darren Harris pushing forward, he ran inside the Stars right back and sent the ball into the back of the net.
Five minutes later with the midfield of captain Steve White, Mikey Waite Liam Powell and Lee Wathen dominating play, it came as no surprise when the Blue's got their second through Wathen off a rebound.
Treowen had no answer to the Blues attacking play and started to loose their discipline which resulted in a further two of their players being booked for clumsy challenges.
The Blues continued to totally outplay the Stars, and with ten minutes to go in the first half, it was Liam Powell with his back to goal on the Stars 18 yard line, who flicked the ball over his head between two defenders - turning he hit a goal bound shot into the top corner, only to see a defender with his arm in the air, hit the ball over the bar.
The only person not to see the penalty was the referee who cannot be everywhere.
The second-half started as the first ended with the Blues at the Stars from the off.
Within 15 minutes it was that man Harris again who found himself wide on the left. Turning one defender, he ran inside another only to be brought down in the box.
Unfortunately penalty taker Liam Powell slipped as he went to strike the ball.
Not phased the far fitter Blues continued to out run and outplay the Stars, who basically had nothing left to give.
A Steve White shot from the edge of the area was cleared off the line, and with six minutes to go, Stars supporters were asking for the referee to blow for time, and their players being told to take the ball into the corner.
The Blues can take a great deal of credit for a gutsy, hard fought performance, with every player playing their part. The midfield of White, Powell, Waite and Wathen were outstanding.
This Saturday the Blues face South Wales Senior league side Cadoxton Barry in the third round of the FAW Welsh Trophy. kick off is at the Co-op Field 2pm. Entry is free and a match programme is available at £1.
Elsewhere in Division One Govilon's tough time of it continued with a 7-2 hammering at the hands of Abercarn United. The Mardy on the other hand pulled up their socks to give Coed Eva Athletic a 3-5 lesson in the art of football.
Meanwhile second-placed side Clydach Wasps finished their game on Saturday locked into a 2-2 deadlock with Pentwynmawr Athletic.
Abergavenny Thursdays - 2
Rockfield Rovers - 2
IN Gwent County Division Three the Abergavenny Thursdays who were fielding a much changed side due to injury and work commitments, paid the penalty of wasted chances after only managing to hold Rockfield to a draw.
The game was however noticeable for seeing the return of Chuckey Collet after long term injury.
The Thursdays fell behind after only five minutes to a good solo Rockfield goal, but as the first-half progressed, the Thursdays began to dominate.
Unfortunately the Thursdays failed to turn possession into points and when a Rockfield breakaway left the homeside flat-flooted they wasted no time in making it 0-2.
The second-half saw Andy Ewers putting in some telling runs and good crosses into the Rockfield penalty area. A glancing header from Josh Jones nearly pulled one back for the Thursdays, but it was left for Ben Bannon to pull a goal back with a well placed shot.
With just ten minutes remaining, a sweet through ball from defence saw new boy Craig Lewis burst through Rockfield's defence to put the Thursdays on level terms and end the game in a well-deserved draw.