Ardal South East League

Risca United 3 Monmouth Town 3

MONMOUTH Town made the journey to Ystrad Mynach on Friday night to face a strong Risca side who were looking to go top of the Ardal League, reports ROB LAURIE.

The Mandarin Stone-sponsored Kingfishers, buoyed by a 3-1 win the previous week over Ebbw Vale, were hopeful of a positive result.

But in a frantic start, Monmouth found themselves a goal down inside two minutes after some indecisive defending followed by sloppy marking from the resulting corner.

The following 15 minutes of play saw Risca take the game to the Kingfishers and if not for some resolute defending and good work from goalkeeper Dan Keane, the hosts could have been further in front.

Monmouth steadied the ship though, and grew in confidence with Shemar Parkes causing the Risca back line all sorts of problems with his probing runs.

And on 30 minutes, Mitchell Palmer levelled the game, perhaps fortuitously, directly from a corner.

Despite showing signs of superiority in the game, the Kingfishers for some reason reacted badly to levelling the affair, and fell behind again by conceding two goals in the space of five minutes.

At 3-1 it appeared that the game was slipping away from Monmouth, but further great work from Parkes resulted in his cross being headed home by Luke Firkin to make it 3-2 before the half-time break.

The game was well poised at the interval, and Monmouth started far brighter in the second half, with Firkin levelling on 56 minutes after closing down the Risca keeper and tapping in to make it 3-3 – a third goal in two games for the club’s new striker.

The game then ebbed and flowed for the remainder of the fixture with neither side creating a real match-winning opportunity.

Head Coach Steve Davies said he was ‘proud’ of the performance and encouraged by the side’s ‘resilience’ and ability to pick up a result after being 3-1 down to the high-flying Ardal South East side.

Monmouth’s 2nds picked up a 2-2 draw at Undy in the FAW Cymru Reserves South East League with a goal from Sam Williams and a first senior score for youngster Joe Barrett.

The Kingfishers 1st XI host Croesyceiliog in the Ardal League this Saturday (October 1) at the Sportsground, kick-off 2.30pm, while the 2nds make the short trip to Abergavenny Town for a local derby.

A last-gasp winner saw Monmouth Youth just lose out 4-3 away to Undy in league action on Sunday, with the visitors’ goals coming from Ebrima Ndure, Noah Rice and Kian Mills.

They travel to face Llantwit Major in the FAW Youth Cup first round this Sunday (October 2).