Gwent Premier League Premier Division

Monmouth Town 2 Newport Corinthians 4

THE Kingfishers suffered a 4-2 loss to Newport Corinthians at home in the Gwent Premier League on Saturday, losing their place at the top of the table on goal difference, reports JAMES TOWNLEY.

With both teams in good form, the match was always going to be close, but it was the city side who took their chances and the three points.

It was a good start for the visitors, who took the lead after 12 minutes, Jayden Ward latching on to a well-played through ball and using his strength to hold off Jack Meredith to chip Ethan Ross in goal.

After going behind, the Kingfishers rallied and were rewarded for their efforts in the 34th minute, when a great goal kick from goalkeeper Ross found Dan Macdonald on the edge of the box, who made a great solo run around Jack Jones to level the scoreline.

It remained 1-1 to half-time, but it was Corries who took control of the game after the restart with two goals in four minutes.

On 56 minutes, Jake Dymond maximised a well-played one-two with his teammate to run in behind the Monmouth defence, before skilfully gliding past both Jack Meredith and Ross to make it 2-1.

Then in the 60th minute Sam Beckett made it 3-1, after a through ball found him on the wing, exposing the Monmouth keeper.

After rushing out of goal and failing to get hold of the ball, Ross was left stranded and the goal was left open for Beckett to extend the visitors' lead.

To his credit, the keeper pulled off a spectacular save moments later, denying Corries their fourth goal of the game, as he stretched to tip the ball away from the top right-hand corner.

Monmouth then had a great chance to get back into the game, with Macdonald hitting the post after a well-worked attack from the hosts.

Then a penalty for Monmouth in the 74th minute provided them with another chance, with Macdonald converting from the spot to make it 3-2.

But hopes of levelling up were dashed just two minutes later, as a pinpoint Tyrell Kenton free-kick was headed home by Ward to make it 4-2 to Corries.

The full time whistle was blown and it was a defeat which knocked Monmouth off the top of the table on goal difference, leaving them third level on points with new leaders Marshfield and RTB Ebbw Vale in second, while Corinthians with a fourth win in a row are up to fourth two points back.

Kingfishers first team manager Sam Palmer said: “We didn't start very well with the centre forward going through and putting them one up.

“But then I thought we grew into the game slowly, and I think probably the last half hour of the first half we were on top.

“Obviously, we got back into the game through Macdonald, and we looked threatening. Without being at our best, we did still look threatening. At half-time we were really positive.

“So we've got to regroup and go again. We need to go on a little run in order to give ourselves a chance.

“The boys are down, but we'll do exactly that and do what it takes to get three points next week.”

The seconds were knocked out of the East Gwent Brian Reed Cup 6-2 in the first round by hosts Chepstow Town 3rds, Oliver Kennedy and Will Kelsall their scorers.

Monmouth 1sts host 10th-placed Clydach Wasps this Saturday afternoon (November 8).