Favourites shoot dozen

DIVISION One title favourites Sebastopol got back to winning ways following last week's 4-1 home defeat by Clydach Wasps with a 12-0 demolition job over Llanarth.

Skipper James Jackson marked his return after injury with a double hat-trick. Robert Surtees also clocked in with a hat-trick and single goals were scored by Jason Strange and Gwilym Davies. The writing was on the wall when Sebastopol led 7-0 at half time. Sebastopol holds Division One's 4th position.

Lower New Inn lost 3-1 at home to joint leaders Goytre. The first half saw many chances going to both sides but it was a goal in the 40th minute by Simon Heatman, when his shot went in off the bar that gave Lower New Inn a 1-0 half time lead. The second half opened with chances going begging to both sides but as the second half progressed Goytre appeared to be a very determined side.

Adam Roberts headed Goytre level in the 50th minute. Five minutes later Roberts again headed a goal this time from a free kick. 2-1 to Goytre. For the next half hour the game was nip and tuck as Lower New Inn played the long ball for Heatman to use his pace looking for an equaliser but Darren Wallace sealed the points for Goytre with a goal scored in the 90th minute. Lower New Inn spokesman said Goytre looks to be a very good outfit. Goytre had substitute Peter Howells sent off.

Tranch Utd had a 3-2 home win over Mardy. The sides were level at half time 1-1. Goal scorers for Tranch were Jason Howells, Shaun Williams and Robert Tovey. Goal scorers for Mardy were Stuart Smith and a spectacular goal into the top corner from 25-yards by James Collins. Tranch had two players sent off, David Jennings and Robert Tovey. Mardy need the rub of the green, they have lost three games by scores of 3-2.

Strange happenings in the match between Gilwern & Dist versus Usk Town. At half time the score was 0-0, then in the second half Usk Town went 1-0 up from a Gilwern own goal. Quite soon Gilwern levelled the score at 1-1 thanks to an Usk Town own goal.

Things then got back to normal goal scoring when Mike Dixon put Usk Town 2-1 up. But not to be outdone Matthew Williams put Gilwern level at 2-2. Gilwern's third consecutive draw.

Panteg lost at home 4-0 to Cwmffrwdoer, who led 3-0 at half time. Goal scorers for Cwmffrwdoer were Jason McCann, Ross Peake and Mark Gunter. Panteg hold 9th position and Cwmffrwdoer hold 7th.

Pontypool Town played home to Crickhowell. Graham Mason put Crickhowell into a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes, Steve Bennett put Pontypool Town level after 30 minutes and into a 2-1 half time lead with a second goal after 35 minutes.

Mark Eascott made his presence known for Crickhowell by controlling the mid field which resulted in two more goals by Graham mason to complete his hat-trick with the last goal being scored in the 89th minute. James Webb also chipped in with a goal for Crickhowell who won the match 4-2. Crickhowell stays in 3rd position.

The match between Fairfield Utd and Clydach Wasps was called off due to Fairfield Utd being unable to raise a team. The county team was short so the second team had to make up the player deficit on the day.

The Division Two match between Blaenavon Blues and PILCS was off due to a league administration error.

Prescoed continues their wonderful start with 4 wins out of 4 following their latest 7-2 home win over Gilwern 'B'. Prescoed established a 4-0 half time lead. Goal scorers for Prescoed were Martin Harris, Jermaine Cadette, Philip Cross, a hat-trick by Paul Hannon and one from Carlos Bandin. Goal scorers for Gilwern 'B' were Alex Cowan and Robby Warner. Prescoed leads Division 2 on 12 points, 3 points ahead of New Inn.

New Inn won 9-4 away to Aber Thursdays. Plenty of Goals came in the first half, which New Inn led 5-3. Goal scorers for New Inn came from a Billy Day hat-trick. Two apiece went to Marc Coia and Wayne Wright and one apiece went to Simon Duggan and Carl Brown. Abergavenny Goal scorers were Liam Harris, Luke Takel (2) and Craig Forward. Thursdays had Anthony Reed sent off.

Govilon got their second win of the season with a might 10-0 win at home over visitors Sebastopol 'B'. Sebastopol 'B' did however hold the Govilon goal scoring machine to just one goal in the first half for Govilon to lead 1-0 at half time.

But Govilon scored nine in the second half, Kevin Mogford scored one in the first half and completed his hat-trick with two more in the second half. Other scorers were a hat-trick by Andrew Jones, Steve Schofield (2), Tristran Southway (1) and Alwyn Morgan (1).

Race B beat Pontypool 2-1. This game was in doubt of being played right up to kick off but inspection by the league and a lot of goodwill by the clubs kept this game on. Building contractors, without any notice to Race, had moved in during midweek to start work on the ultra modern training facility at Pontypool's Coleg Gwent campus as reported in last weeks Press.

This work affected the college soccer pitch which is used by Race. Torfaen County Borough Council resited the goals and tried to remark the pitch.

Race completed the marking just before the game and Saturdays match went ahead, but it is feared that as the work on the new college building progresses this may adversely affect the soccer pitch size and the playing surface condition.

Promises have been made to fill and extend adjacent to the other touch line but this could take a couple of years to get the area and turf ready for play.

The club has two adult teams and up to four junior teams that may have to seek playing facilities elsewhere in order to keep the club alive. This is the second time that Race FC has faced a pitch crisis. The clubs Miners Welfare or Glentillery pitch had to be shelved seven years ago when a huge hole appeared in the pitch whilst the contractors cut the grass.

Previously, in the mid 80s similar big holes suddenly appeared around the lower goals; an estimated sum of £800,000 would be needed to repair the Welfare pitches and there may be spare pitches available in the county borough area, but these are mainly in Cwmbran, which is outside of the local football boundaries.

Race will soon celebrate their centenary and have been one of the most successful clubs for collecting trophies throughout their history, but may suffer a few headaches in the months ahead with these ground problems and wet weather.