CALDICOT's third consecutive league win means they can now set their sights firmly on the upper reaches of the table rather than looking nervously over their shoulder.

The revival under Mark Williams – which continued with a 3-0 victory over Ely Rangers on Saturday – means that despite being tenth Town are now just seven points off the final promotion slot with two games in hand.

Goals from Riccardo McKenzie, Mitchell Slape and Luke Harris secured the first win of 2013 for a side that has now scored three in each of its last three league fixtures.

However it was the visitors from Cardiff – who started the day a point and a place behind Town – who got out of the blocks quicker. With a strong breeze at their backs, they showed plenty of early menace as they pushed the home side onto the back foot for much of the opening exchanges. And the visitors nearly made this pressure count when a shot from the edge of the box beat the diving Matt Sandiford only for the post to come to Caldicot's rescue.

In reply Town were constantly thwarted in their attempts to cross the halfway line by the increasingly gusty wind. On more than one occasion a lofted ball forward looked set to relieve the pressure only for it to come sailing back over the head of the player clearing it. Such was the weather's influence that the wind nearly had a major hand in opening the scoring when it sent an inswinging corner careering onto the bar with Sandiford beaten.

But having ridden out the storm it was the home side who took the lead on the half hour when McKenzie started and finished a move courtesy of a lung-bursting run and a neat finish from Saunders's cross.

With the way the  game was unfolding Town would have been happy to take their one goal lead into half-time but with two minutes left they doubled their advantage as Slape pounced inside the six yard box for a classic poacher's goal.

With the wind at their backs after the break Caldicot were now able to exert sustained pressure of their own. And with Rangers penned back in their own half for sizeable periods it now seemed only a matter of time before they increased their lead. Lloyd and McKenzie both looked dangerous going forward but it wasn't until late on that they finally found a third and final goal through the ever-threatening Harris.

Caldicot will travel to fourth-placed Garden Village in good spirits next week and will be boosted by recent signing Josh Brown who is now available after serving a ban picked up at former club Caerleon.  But it is a case of one in and one out, with goalkeeper Tom Pass rejoining Monmouth Town.