Match Type: Gwent County Division 3
Conditions: Lovely
Venue: Race, by Pontypool College

A decent attendance showed up for this mid-week fixture. Race are back down in division 3 after being relegated last season with the unique achievement of having the best goal difference in the whole of Wales, for a side that was relegated. Crusaders were looking to make amends after a disappointing week-end, just down the road at New Inn.

Jamie Edwards, Borat and Dan Howls replaced Shirona (work), Chicken Man (Darts) and Ashley Reid (dropped) as the pack was re-shuffled.

Race started slightly better than the Crus did and a good cross from the left hand side was met on the volley by an un-marked Race player to make it 1-0 after 15 minutes to the home side.

With 10 minutes to go before half time, Crusaders were given a life line. Louty sprinted to a loose ball and got to it before he was hacked down by a clumsy tackle from the Race keeper. Captain Tommo took spot kick responsibility, only to pass it in the hands of the Race keeper. In truth, the penalty may not have reached the goal line, but questions marks lie over the next penalty taker as Tommo also had a spot kick saved by Whatley at the 6aside. That and the rumour still, that Tommo is to be transferred to the 1st team.

A few minutes later and Crus were awarded an in-direct free kick for a pass back. Louty set up Jonny Jones, only for the move to be a complete shambles. A few laughs and jokes from the side occurred, but this upset JJ. JJ isn't 1 for any sort of bitchyness and enough was enough for the lad. Jonny Jones walked off. Jonny Jones is a great player, who will be severely missed from the side, but if his attitude isn't 100%, then he was right to walk off.

As if the half couldn't get any worse for the Crus, disaster struck just before half time. Race tried a little though ball, but Budgie intercepted it with his hand. The referee awarded Budgie a straight red card and Race scored the resulting free-kick, meaning it was 2-0 to race at half time.

The 2nd half was always going to be difficult with 10 men against an experienced Race side, looking to bounce back after a poor season from themselves. Crusaders did provide an instant chance though with Dan Morris using his pace to get a shot in, but it was inches wide.

After an hour, Jamie Edwards was easily out-muscled to the ball down the flank and Race got another tidy cross over. Jonny Smith and keeper Scott Gilk failed to deal with the low ball and the little Race striker tapped in for 3-0.

It was only 5 minutes later before the little Race striker made it 4-0 after confusion in the crusaders box.

Louty had a chance of a consolation as debutant Dane Whittaker played a great through ball to him. Louty hit it straight at the keeper though.

5 minutes from time and Race made it 5-0. Jamie was beaten to a ball over the top and the big striker slotted it in to make it 5-0.

Disastrous start for the Crus as they lie bottom of the league. Crusaders face another good Pontypool side on the week-end, but have always risen to the occasion against the PILCS over the last couple of the season. Let's hope, the Crus can put a performance in.

Man Of the Match - Jonny Smith. Just for his great header off the line.

Dummy of the Match - Jonny Jones. Sadly, we never see him again.