THE Kingfishers gained their first home win of 2022 and a league double over Aberbargoed Buds to end a three-game losing streak.
In windy conditions at Blestium Stadium on Saturday, the home team looked in control early on creating chances and dominating possession.
And that led to a goal on 10 minutes from winger Lyndon Jones, who was played in by Mitch Palmer, before managing to cut inside from the edge of the area and drill a hard low shot past the Buds unsighted keeper.
The goal only spurred the home team on with new signing Laurent Ngunjoh causing a nuisance up front as more chances came and went.
Nine minutes later, a Jones cross into the box found fellow newcomer Iwan Mooney waiting to calmly side-foot the ball into the back of the net to make it 2-0.
With the swirling wind still causing problems, Monmouth found it hard to clear their lines and pressure from Buds saw a string of corners being swung in which were defended well by the Kingfishers.
With the score 2-0 at the break, Monmouth were happy to soak up pressure after the restart and hit Buds on the counter.
A couple of goal-bound efforts were well saved by Green in the away team’s goal, but Monmouth continued to have the majority of possession and saw the game out for a comfortable victory.
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“It was a good win and an important one for the lads to get their confidence up after losing three on the trot.
“I mentioned before that the players have taken ownership of their performances and had a heart-to-heart after the Goytre game the previous week.
“They looked hungry this time and were like rats around the ball, and that is what we need if we are going to keep on competing with the teams above us, as the pitches currently won’t let us play our normal game, so we all have to adapt.
“It sets us up nicely for the derby game away at league leaders Abergavenny on Friday evening, with the whole club up for this match!”
Manager Scott Russell
With former pace-setters Goytre being deducted 15 points last week for fielding an ineligible youth player on the bench in five games, the Kingfishers are now up to sixth 11 points behind the Pennies with three games in hand and all to play for.
Abergavenny stayed top after the weekend despite losing 2-0 away to a much-improved Llandrindod Wells.
Caldicot Town moved up to second on goal difference from Abertillery Bluebirds, who didn’t play, after a 1-0 win at Croesyceiliog.
An 82nd-minute strike from substitute Richard Sharrat gave the Swans the win, who finished with 10 men after a second yellow for Leo Ross straight after the goal.
Goytre put their shock points deduction behind them with a 2-0 win at Newport City on Friday night, Josh Graham and a Chris Ham penalty securing the points in the second half.
Chepstow Town were also celebrating, winning the basement battle 3-1 at Abertillery Excelsiors.
Fixtures this Friday (February 18), kick-off 7.30pm are Abergavenny Town v Monmouth Town, Goytre v Panteg.
Fixtures this Saturday (February 19), kick-off 2pm, include Chepstow Town v Croesyceiliog, Caldicot Town v Llandrindod Wells.