Match Type: Gwent County Division 3
Date: 18/08/2007
Conditions: Wet

Crusaders left to go to New Inn in high spirits with a few new faces to the squad. Huw Moseley (Injury) and Keown (Holiday) were the most notable absentees. Also missing was Jamie Edwards, despite telling brother-in-law David Thomas that he was available for the game and then ignoring his phone calls come crunch time.

David Thomas decided to stick to his preferred 3-5-2 line up and it looked an attacking one at that. Scott Gilk in goals; Fishcake, Budgie and Simpkins making up the back 3; Ashley Reid (Full Debut) and Jonny Jones wing backs; Nicky Tom (Captain), Louty (On his return from castle) and Chicken Man in midfield; Shirona (Full debut) and Dan Morris in attack. Injured duo Dan Howls and Borat were declared fit enough for the bench, so they joined up with Dan Morgan to make the 14.

The Crus started the better of the 2 sides with Louty pulling a shot wide and Jonny Jones hitting a shot over.

Mid-way through the 2nd half, disaster struck. Ashley Reid struggled down his right hand side and a New Inn cross was shipped over. The big New Inn centre forward was on hand to score a free header at the back post. 1-0 New Inn.

Within minutes, Reid gave away a free kick. The ball was aimed at New Inns big target man again and he scored a great looping header to put the home side 2-0 up.

Budgie nearly scored an own goal to make it 3-0 but Scott Gilk saved his blushes. The Crus tried in vein for the remainder of the half but little was created before the interval.

The Crus tried hard 2nd half, but not a lot happened really. New Inn looks a stronger side since being taken over by a millionaire and they won the majority of physical and aerial battles on the day. Crusaders failed to get any sort of rhythm going and were poor in the final 1/3 of the pitch.

New Inn were comfortable to sit deep and go on the counter, using a couple of their quicker players. With 5 minutes to go, Jonny Smith brought down 1 of their players and they scored the resulting spot kick to seal the game at 3-0.

It could have been an even worse score line at the end. Scott Gilk parried a shot giving their substitute Rooney a golden chance to score, but he hit over and got both sets of supporters screaming 'ROONEY ROONEY ROONEY'.

Disappointing start for Crusaders, but this side hasn't settled down together yet.

Man of The Match: Scott Gilk. Still new to the sticks and wasn't at fault for any of the goals. Done well when called upon.

Dummy of The Match: Simpkins. Bad day at the office, struggling against a big centre forward.