Five-star Kingfishers go through after early red card

Gwent Premier County Motors Cup

Coed Eva Athletic 0 Monmouth Town FC 5

THE Kingfishers comfortably advanced to the quarter-finals of the County Motors Challenge Cup with a 5-0 win in Cwmbran, despite playing an hour with 10 men.

Town’s break from league action was not without its drama with a 30th-minute red card, but the scoreline reflected their dominance.

It was a relatively slow start in sunny conditions, with Coed Eva first to threaten after winning the ball in the middle of the park and putting Chris Cooke through, but his forward run was intercepted by Lewis Lloyd before goalkeeper Jack Harris claimed possession.

Harris was quickly forced into action again after a great run down the wing from Jan Peerce saw him get a shot away, which the Kingfishers’ keeper deflected for a corner.

Town soon found their momentum and were rewarded in the 22nd minute following a Mitchell Palmer set-piece.

Young Jack Hanks won a free-kick on the wing, and Palmer’s delivery sailed over everyone and landed perfectly in the top corner of the hosts’ net for 1-0.

But it was not all plain sailing, with Kingfishers forward Taylor Street shown a red card for dissent after just half an hour.

But after creating several more chances, Monmouth went into the break 1-0 up before Brad Phillips extended the lead after the restart, Hanks holding the ball up out wide before finding his teammate in the box, who dribbled past his opponent before slotting home for 2-0.

The Kingfishers then capitalised on another set-piece on 66 minutes, Rob Laurie heading home a perfect Palmer corner.

And a fourth arrived in the 84th minute when Jake Lavis scored his first Monmouth goal, Tarran Evans with the initial attempt before the new signing found the net.

Debutant Evans then got on the scoresheet himself in added time, fellow young debutant Ioan Thomas finding Palmer on the wing, whose cross was played perfectly into Evans’ path to grab the fifth.

Elsewhere, Monmouthshire’s last team in the Welsh Cup – Ardal South East Chepstow Town – exited the 149-year-old competition after a narrow 1-0 loss at higher-ranked Cymru South Caerphilly Athletic, the only goal coming six minutes after half-time.

But town neighbours Thornwell R&W drew 0-0 with Newbridge Town to stay third in Gwent Premier 2.

Meanwhile, Monmouth 2nds came from behind to claim derby bragging rights at nearby Rockfield Rovers in East Gwent 1.

Joe Orledge put Rovers in front five minutes after the break, but goals from Ollie Brownridge and Ollie Moss on 71 and 80 minutes secured victory for the visitors.

Tintern Abbey, sporting new kit sponsored by Process Plant and Coleford Hydraulics & Machinery, also won 5-0 at home to Thornwell 2nds in EG2, Andrew Sincock, Tom Collins, Bradley Jarrett, Hyni Kubisz and Darryl Reynolds their scorers.

Monmouth Youth recorded a 5-3 win on Sunday at the Sports Ground against Croesyceiliog Youth, Ethan Davies with a brace and Tarran Evans, Albert Escott and Leo Palmer one apiece.

Meanwhile, the newly-formed Kingfishers Women began their Division Four campaign with a 4-0 loss away to Wattsville Ladies.

Saturday’s fixtures include – Monmouth Town v Wattsville, Goytre United v Chepstow, Newbridge Town v Thornwell R&W, Sudbrook CC v Monmouth 2nds, Raglan Junior v Sudbrook CC 2nds, Underwood 2nds v Tintern Abbey.

Sunday’s games – Monmouth Women v Nantyglo Women (Hugh James SWFA Women’s Cup), Ponthir Youth v Monmouth Youth.

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