TWO hotly-disputed goals, one in each half, virtually sealed the title for Mathern Wanderers.

The home side need only look back on the previous two meetings between the clubs to realise where their ambition to bounce back into the Gwent County League, came unstuck.

They lost the first match 6-0 at Mathern in September, went down 7-1 at home in December and then this reverse, shipping 15 goals and scoring only once against the league's meanest defence. Underwood are a good side, with good players and an experienced manager but they know the nine points by which Mathern lead Division One, were all gained at their expense.

In a league renowned for high-scoring matches, a 2-0 victory is a collector's item but the game itself was far from that.

Both Mathern goals were scrappy, Wayne Duffield apparently beating the offside trap to score at the second attempt after his first effort was only half parried by Underwood keeper James Hawkins.

The second, scored in the last quarter by Harrison Prettyjohn, was also met by howls of derision from the home bench.

Prettyjohn chased a 50-50 ball with two defenders converging. Who brought who down was debatable but the Mathern player was first to rise from the deck.

He skipped over the floored defenders and as Hawkins came out, curled a fine shot past and over the keeper.

The result and the rows shouldn't deflect from some excellent forward play with Mathern's Tom Marmont in very good form, one back-heel to set up Steve Roberts would have graced a far higher standard of football.

Meanwhile, his brother Sam was keeping tabs on the league's leading scorer Josh Downing.

His colleagues in Mathern's back four, Rob Wood, Hywel Pugh and Jeff Whitehouse hardly put a foot wrong.

When one was under pressure or beaten, another was there to take his place and when forwards penetrated that far, they found keeper Jason Johnson in commanding – and brave – form.

One double-save from point-blank range denied Underwood the opening goal.

Underwood too were stubborn and well organised, despite the absence from the field of manager Danny Williams who was nursing an injury. There was a steely determination in defence and Hawkins had probably his busiest afternoon of the season, making some good saves and collecting high crosses.

Both managers were tight-lipped about the controversial goals with directly opposite opinions but both agreed the title is Mathern's and both are determined to add a trophy or two before the season closes.