Weekend Fixtures

Elite Stands UK Ardal South East League
Risca United 3 - 2 Caldicot Town
Saturday 8th November 2025 - KO 2.00pm

A bad day at the office is how you could describe Saturday for Ryan Morley's men as they travelled back to Ty-Isaf, the spiritual home of Risca United who, in more recent years called Ystrad Mynach their home. They say that some clubs have a bogey side, well it certainly feels that Risca are Caldicot's. On paper and looking at the table, it was a sure thing if ever there was one that Caldicot would get the win after their recent good league form. Maybe that was the problem? 

The start of the game was really open and and to end with Caldicot creating several good opportunities to score. Captain Matt James heading uncharacteristically wide from less than two yards springs to mind. Eventually Caldicot did open the scoring when a Chis Parry header found its way to Cole Greenhaf on the edge of the box who's deflected strike found its way to Laurent Ngunjoh who turned and fired home from 8 yards. Less than a minute later, Risca equalised through Lewis Watkins who capitalised on some sloppy play down the left flank to find an immediate equaliser.

Caldicot's expansive shape had started to see gaps appearing as bot wing backs struggled on the heavy pitch to get back as quickly as they went forward. On 23 minutes, that space down Caldicot's right flank was exploited by Risca's Jayden Bowgen who ran down the left unopposed before squaring a pass for a simple tap in from Finley Skiverton to put the home side ahead. The scoring in the first half hadn't finished their as Caldicot continued pressing for goals. A cross into the area was headed back across the Risca area for Cole Green to poke in his 17th goal in all competitions to make it 2 - 2 at the break.

Risca had put a lot of effort into the first half and looked like they may run out of steam as the game wore on. But no, they seemed to have deep reserves and a steely determination that surfaces when they face us at least it would seem. Caldicot struggled to get the ball through the creativity they have in the midfield and reverted to long hopeful clearances. Frustration was creeping in now as Risca started to look more threatening going forward. Manager Ryan Morley brought off Matt Swann replacing him with new signing, Munyaradzi Mabwe for his debut down the left side. The 20 year old signed from Abertillery Bluebirds, and has played for Goytre United and Treharris, scoring against us back in September of last season.
 
Just minutes after the substitution, Risca attacked again down the left where the ball worked across towards the right hand side of the area where Ellis Hibbert smashed a great shot passed Sandiford in the Caldicot goal much to the delight of the Ty-Isaf faithful. Now behind for a second time, Town had to dig deep to find an equaliser once again. James followed Parry into the book as Town huffed and puffed to get into their opponents area.

Foster and Francombe came on for Grant and Burns before injury time approached. Mabwe thought he had rescued a point for Caldicot as he headed home from close range. The linesman instructed the referee that James had fouled a defender in the box before his header found its way to Mabwe, although it seemed a harsh decision. Town pressed hard to the end but could not find the all important equaliser much to the disappointment of the team and travelling support. 
 
Next up for Caldicot is a home game against Lliswerry. Town will be keen to get back to winning ways starting Saturday at Jubilee Way, Ko 2pm.