Saturday, December 5th

Monmouth Town 1 Aberbargoed Buds 2

Two goals from Dean Randall in two silly minutes just before half time secured the points for Aberbargoed as once again a host of missed chances and a lack of match sharpness cost Monmouth Town dear and condemned them to another home defeat.

Back in action for the first time in four weeks on a soft pitch both teams looked like they were going to need time to settle back into the sport let alone the game itself as passes went astray and composure was a stranger to most players.

The early exchanges were largely forgettable but Ford should have done better with a free header and both sides seemed hurried when given sight of goal. Not so Tranter who, on the half hour, capitalised on good work by Bowen to drive his finish high into the net.

As the half neared its end Town could have been forgiven for thinking they had withstood most of what the Buds could throw at them; as they did they were hit with a two goal salvo as they dithered and slithered in their own goal mouth seemingly unable to decide what to do with the round thing in front of them. The answer they didn't find was "kick the thing!" Randall had that one!

The second half was largely dominated by the Kingfishers with dangerous direct Buds breakaways that fashioned good openings but lacked a finish.

Town, for their part, approached well but lacked the calmness in front of goal that could and should have at least earned a point as a number of shots sailed high and wide and worried the woodwork. Neville Harris's introduction added a bit of guile and although Tranter and Bowen huffed and puffed Town's attacking play was too predictable for the Division's meanest defence.

Town co-boss Barry Burns was disappointed with the result saying "We looked ring rusty and were second best to every loose ball and yet we created a lot of good chances which again we failed to take.

"Buds are a well drilled side and you have to make the most of every opportunity if you're going to beat them. We didn't."

Town are at home again this Saturday against high flying Goytre kick off 2pm