Welsh League Division One - Cambrian and Clydach 1 Monmouth Town 1

AFTER the disappointment of losing 5-1 to Gwent rivals Undy last week, Monmouth Town looked to bounce back and put last weekend’s result behind them as they travelled to second placed side Cambrian and Clydach.

Both sides had chances to take the lead, but the game remained goalless until the 80th minute when Cambrian striker Craig Lewis put the home side ahead.

But, with time running out, a first goal for Monmouth’s senior team from Jordan Heales earned the Kingfishers a valuable point at the CSB stadium.

Before kick off Monmouth sat 13th in the league and manager Ross Kennedy made two changes to his side that got humiliated by Undy, bringing in new signings Bradley Flay and Joe Loftus for the suspended Ashley Ford and Simon Crook.

The visitors started the game well and looked organised at the back, but they struggled to create any chances and both teams cancelled each other out. The first chance of the game went to the home side when their winger beat his man passed across goal, but no one was there to tap it in.

Cambrian had another good chance to take the lead moments later when at the edge of the box their striker cut in on his right foot and shot just over the bar.

Monmouth dominated possession but continued to struggle to create anything in the final third. They had a good chance in the 20th minute when, with time and space on the edge of the box, Loftus fired just over the bar.

The Kingfishers had another good chance moments later when Sam Palmer’s floated cross found Rob Laurie at the back post whose looping header went wide. Both teams continued to cancel each other and struggled to create any chances and went into the break at deadlock.

Cambrian had a good chance to break the deadlock at the start of the second half when their winger forced a good diving save from Monmouth stopper Lee Williams, who pushed the ball around the post. They had another good chance when a shot from their midfielder went just over the woodwork.  

Monmouth came into the game and started to create a few more chances and should have taken the lead when Sam Palmer’s corner found Dan Spence, whose header was blocked off the line. The ball came out to Kazeem Kareem on the edge of the box whose first time shot hit the side netting.  

The Kingfishers had another good chance to take the lead on the hour mark when Kareem intercepted a back pass and beat Cambrian keeper Steven Hall, but his shot was cleared off the line.

With both teams pushing for a winner, Cambrian took the lead in the 80th minute when, despite calls for offside, a through ball was picked up by Cambrian striker Jason Bertorelli, who crossed to Craig Hughes for a simple tap in.

With time running out Ross Kennedy turned to youngster Jordan Heales to make the difference, and he made his impact with a deserved equaliser moments later.

Monmouth first had a good chance to equalise in the 89th minute when Bradley Flay cut in on his right foot and shot, forcing Hall into an impressive diving save.

And with time running out the Kingfishers finally got the equaliser they deserved. Heales made the most of some confusion between Hall and the Cambrian defender, intercepting a loose ball, and with an open goal hit a volley from range to not only equalise for his side but to score his first goal for the senior team.

Manager Ross Kennedy described the draw as “a well-earned point”. He said: “I felt we played much better than last week and overall I am happy with our performance. I felt we looked much more organised and compact today and overall it’s a brilliant point against a good side.”

The Kingfishers are away next week to Goytre United as they continue to record valuable points and escape the relegation battle.