Blaenavon Blues - 1  

Chepstow Town - 3

AFTER last week's heavy defeat at Albion, managers Ryan Huish and Lee Wathen made six changes for their fixture against champions elect Chepstow Town.

Mike Waite and Lee Penry have both returned to the club from Croesyceiliog and would have been joined by prolific goal scorer Josh Bull, but unfortunately his transfer from Abertillery Bluebirds was not completed in time for him to play a part in the match.

The Blues started well and immediately took the game to Chepstow. Jamie Brankley back from suspension looked full of running, and Waite and Lee Challenger gave as good as they got in a very competitive midfield battle.

Chepstow nearly took the lead 15 minutes in but a great tackle by Darryl Brenton retrieved the situation.

After 30 minutes, Waite hit a 20 yard shot which brought a fine save from keeper Karl Baynton, and in the next Blaenavon attack Challenger's free-kick was headed back across goal by Richard Williams only for Penry to be penalised for straying off side.

With half time approaching Chepstow took the lead with a magnificent goal and they got on top from the start of the second half and soon doubled their lead. A free kick out wide on the left was met with a towering header from Rob Thorne for a fine goal.

Craig Tanner and Lee Freeman replaced Williams and Matt Cox but Chepstow made the three points safe when Jason Thorne found the corner of the net to put his side three up.

Blaenavon kept their heads high and fought to get back into the game, and some good play by Lloyd Jeffries saw him combine with Lee Penry to set up Ben Penry, whose close range effort was blocked, but Mike Waite followed up and blasted home.

The Blues will take a lot of heart from this performance against a side that has lost only one game this season and will soon be promoted to the Welsh league.

Blaenavon's main concern is to now play at the same level of football in their remaining fixtures to retain their Gwent County Division One status.

Elsewhere in Division One, Govilon did well to come out on top in their seven goal thriller against Abercarn United which they won 3-4.

In Division Two, the Mardy finally found their winning ways with a regal 4-3 victory over Llanhilleth Athletic.

Meanwhile, in Division Three, the Abergavenny Thursdays suffered a setback when Marshfield paid a visit to Pen-y-Pound and beat them 0-2.