FOOTBALL: Graig y Rhacca FC played host to Caerleon Town in a Newport and District Premier Division fixture at a very wet and windy Addison Park on Saturday October 26.
The home side started well with plenty of possession, with the final pass consistently going astray.
But that all changed after 20 minutes as Luke Horwood converted a cross from Billy Lee to make it 1-0 to Rhacca.
By now, the home team were camped in the Caerleon half, with goalkeeper Grant Richards a virtual spectator.
Tom James got on the end of a great far post corner from Nigel Ballett to power home. The second goal seemed to help Rhacca relax and this allowed their final pass and their finishing to improve.
Luke Horwood grabbed his second of the afternoon after good work from his brother Jake, before getting on the score sheet himself with a marvellous piece of football from the three brothers.
Jake picked the ball up in central midfield, quickly fed Matthew on the right wing who ghosted past two defenders before supplying a pinpoint cross for Luke to score his third goal of the day.
From a rare Caerleon corner Tom James cleared to Luke Horwood, who then passed cross field to the marauding Matthew Phillips. The cross to Jake Horwood was clinically finished – a brilliant counter attacking move that travelled the entire length of the pitch in four passes.
The half ended 5-0 to Graig y Rhacca.
Once again most of the second half was spent relentlessly attacking with the defence looking strong on the rare occasions they were tested.
The Rhacca keeper Grant Richards also deserved credit for keeping his concentration for the entire game as he was only tested twice and responded with two first class saves.
The scoring was finished off with Matthew Phillips getting a deserved goal from a well taken free kick, Jake Horwood collected his second of the day with another freekick and Luke Horwood got his fourth after good work pressurising the defender into a mistake.
Final score of 8-0 and the result put Graig y Rhacca four points off third place with two games in hand.
•Report by Rob Bailey of Graig y Rhacca FC