Monmouth Town Reserves 4 Cwmbran Celtic Reserves 2

ON a rain-sodden November afternoon at the Sportsground, Monmouth Town welcomed Cwmbran Celtic with both sides hoping for a win to close in on first place Cardiff Met.

The Town, without injured veteran Andrew Rodgers, sat fourth in the Welsh League Reserves Division East and looked to bounce back after their disappointing home defeat to seventeenth place Caerleon. Cwmbran sat in second, a point above the Kingfishers with the Town having a game in hand.

The home side started the game the brighter, with returning Tom Maxted having a volley deflected wide. The pressure paid off, and it wasn’t long before the Kingfishers made the breakthrough with Dan Spencer clearing the ball up the pitch, Craig Lewis closing the defender down and tackling him before calmly slotting the ball through the keeper’s legs.

The lead wouldn’t last long though, as a through ball allowed the striker to coolly take the ball around Lee Williams to score.

Cwmbran grew in confidence, and had a chance to take the lead with their striker through on goal but Lee Williams made a diving save down to his right.

Before half time, Monmouth youngster Brad Bradleys beat his man and was fouled inside the area to win an important spot kick. Dean Palmer calmly stepped up and put the penalty away to make the score 2-1 at the break.

At the start of the second half, Monmouth’s lead didn’t last long. Cwmbran started the half well and were rewarded when their winger cut in and scored in the bottom corner.

Undeterred, the Town hit back straight away with Craig Lewis winning the ball on the edge of the box, before drilling the ball into the top corner with his left foot. Soon after Celtic would have a golden opportunity with their striker being put through one-on-one with Lee Williams but Williams came out on top to make an impressive save with his leg.

With not long to go the Kingfishers killed the game off with Craig Lewis putting through the exciting prospect of Luke Cleaves who passed to Brad Bradleys who made no mistake and tapped in. The full time whistle went and Monmouth deservedly came out on top to keep the pressure on Cardiff Met.

“I was pleased with our performance,” said manager Brian Bond. “I felt we responded brilliantly after last week’s disappointing performance.”

The Reserves next game is against Risca United at home on the 2nd January.