GWENT sides were involved in shocks, routine wins and thrashings in the first round of the Nathaniel Welsh League Cup - but the abandonment of Caerleon's home tie against Afan Lido will, unfortunately, steal the headlines.

The ugly side of football reared its head at Cold Bath Lane with both clubs now facing hefty fines after the clash was called off with 30 minutes still remaining.

The game will be replayed at the same venue on Saturday with a 2.00pm kick-off, meaning Caerleon's away MacWhirter Welsh League Division One match at Ton Pentre on the same day being postponed.

Caerleon were holding a 1-0 lead, courtesy of a 58th-minute penalty by full-back Matthew Hearne, when Cardiff-based match referee Kim Fisher finally ran out of patience following a mass brawl.

Allegedly Afan Lido had generally persisted in preventing Caerleon from playing the game by foul means.

Matters, however, came to a head when a Lido player appeared to kick Caerleon's Paul Shephard in the face, an act which prompted a mass free-for-all.

Punches and kicks were exchanged, and after the dust had settled Mr Fisher sent off Caerleon's Jason Price and Lido pair Carl Evans and Brian Thomas, the goalkeeper.

But there was more to come. The official next brought together both sets of management teams and informed them that he had had enough and had abandoned the match.

But the decision was wrong, according to Caerleon boss Brendan Dowd: "He told us that he had sent off the players who had caused and been involved in all the trouble, so I can't see what the problem was.

"He should have restarted the game, and then if there had been further trouble, then that's when he should have called it off.

"I have to defend my players and tell you that they endured much throughout the game before they decided there was only so much they could take.

"They were kicked, punched, had their shirts pulled on a regular basis, all virtually right from the word go."

Officials of the Welsh League will now await the referee's match report before deciding on what course of action to take in terms of any punishment.

Division One side Cwmbran Town rested their entire first-team regulars when they visited Abertillery Excelsiors and paid the price as the home side cantered to a 5-1 success.

Lee Bull and Shaun Smith put the Division Three club in command, and although Cwmbran reduced the arrears through Tyron Gibbs, Smith's second made it 3-1 to Abertillery at the break.

Further goals from Kevin Robins and Bull meant a second successive cup exit for the Crows, who were knocked out of the Welsh Cup the previous week.

"This was a great win for us," exclaimed Abertillery secretary Keith Williams. "We had a lot more endeavour about us this time and it's not our concern that they made changes.

"You can only beat what's put in front of you and the pleasing thing is that young John Morgan, who replaced the injured David Smith in midfield, was man of the match."

Also enjoying a comfortable home success was Division One outfit Newport YMCA, who stretched their unbeaten run to a sixth match with an 8-1 home drubbing of bottom-placed Division Three side Morriston Town.

The result was a personal triumph for YMCA striker Lewis Sommers. The giant marksman scored five goals, with others coming from co-striker Aaron Stewart (2) and midfielder/skipper John Frankie' Pardue.

Although well beaten, Morriston were given credit by YMCA boss Mark Coldrick: "Morriston gave it a go and their heads never dropped," he said.

Division One Croesyceiliog were also home victors, but took the scalp of Gwent rivals Goytre in a 4-1 win at Woodland Road.

Striker Jody Jenkins, brother Jamie Jenkins, debutant Kristian Whitcombe (penalty) and Daniel Clare were Croesyceiliog's goal-scorers, with Nathan Evans replying for the Division Three visitors.

"We are pleased to be in the next round and even more so that we managed to introduce a couple of 16-year-olds in Josh Higgins and Callum Miles," said Croesyceiliog joint manager Chris Evans.

"It's extremely important to us that we produce our own players and these two youngsters typify what we are about as a club."

Goytre assistant boss Paul Greenhalgh said he thought his side were in with a shout throughout, but that a lack of killer instinct in front of goals plus a slice of bad luck when they struck the crossbar, caused the defeat.

Another Division One side, Caldicot Town, are also through after seeing off visiting Division Three outfit Aberbargoed Buds 3-1 at Jubilee Way.

Goals from Karl Stevens, Tyron Tucker-Dixon and Gareth Cullimore were enough for the home side, with Buds twice taking the lead through Dean Randall and Nathan Evans.

Risca United, however, crashed out when beaten 2-0 at home by Division Three rivals AFC Llwydcoed, while Monmouth Town lost 4-3 at home to Ely Rangers - despite a hat trick by teenage striker Elliott Ford.

The league's best current unbeaten record came to an end at Celtic Park, where Cwmbran Town were surprisingly beaten 4-1 by Gwent rivals Tredegar Town.

Scott Mantle (2), Neil Matherson (penalty) and Ryan Carniff were Tredegar's scorers, while Kieron Porter netted for the home side, who had goalkeeper Nicky Church sent off when it was 2-0.

"We'll regroup and it's certainly not doom and gloom," said Celtic secretary Malcolm Jarrett.

Tredegar boss Rob Ellis was naturally ecstatic: "We played really well and thoroughly deserved to win," he said.

Celtic's reverse comes ahead of Wednesday's home Gwent Senior Cup first-round clash against Newport County, a game which will take place at Cwmbran Stadium, kick-off 7.30pm.