Monmouth Town 2 Pontardawe Town 1

Liam Head’s first goal for the Kingfishers sent them on their way to their third straight win and up to seventh in Welsh League Division One just 5 points off top with two games in hand. A Dan MacDonald second half strike put the Town 2 – 0 up with half an hour to play but a Dan Spence own goal reduced the lead and made sure the final twenty minutes were less than comfortable against a tricky combative Pontardawe who has started the afternoon in sixth. The game itself was a scrappy affair with none of the openness that normally characterise any game involving the Kingfishers. 

There were however plenty of individual battle breaking out with Ponty’s wide men having plenty of joy down the flanks and but little threat down the middle – or at least such that it was usually floundered on the centre pairing of Guy and Evans. Fessey was having a tough time in the middle and returning skipper Alderdice also struggled to get a grip on the game as Ponty’s midfield pressed quickly and in numbers to deny town time dn space. The Flying Ford had his wings clipped a number of times and Sam Palmer on the opposite side had plenty of the ball but could do little with it. 

Town however did fashion the better chances of the half bringing a few smart saves from the impressive visiting keeper. Palmer especially saw his dipping strike smartly tipped over. But Head it was who opened the scoring latching onto a dropping ball and firing first time inside the near post. Head’s running and MacDonald’s prompting were to be applauded but they were getting little joy from the well drilled Pontardawe back four. 

Ponty opened the second half much the brighter having to chase a goal. Blackburn saved smartly and the visiting striker should have done better when well placed but saw his shot roll wide and as Ponty pressed a lightening break saw MacDonald free and his finish was emphatic as he crashed hi shot against eh bar and in. Town were looking comfortable and in control but a lapse in concentration caught them out and a dangerous cross evaded everyone apart from Dan Spence who was helpless as the ball stuck his chest and cannoned in. 

Suddenly the Town were rattled and looking edgy. Pontardawe did look the most likely team as they sensed they could get something from the game but Blackburn remained a calming influence, and the Kingfishers saw out the strangely long second half to secure all three points. The Club would like to thank main sponsors WyeMedia for their continuing support and Raduni restaurant for the match day catering. 

Monmouth’s reserve team sponsored by Auto Spares Uk had their attempt to go top of the reserve league hampered by a game that was abandoned after 43 minutes following a severe injury to a Croesyceiliog player. Our best wishes for a speedy recovery to Alex Bull.