MONMOUTH Town FC returned to winning ways on Saturday, while the newly formed Kingfishers Women enjoyed a historic first league win on Sunday.

After suffering a first league loss of the season 3-1 to PILCS in Newport on Tuesday evening, the Kingfishers 1sts bounced back in perfect fashion with a 5-1 win on the road against Abertillery Excelsiors.

The match-up between the two sides always provides close games, but the Kingfishers made their point with a four-goal winning margin.

Monmouth started well and got their reward in the 19th minute, with Lamin Ndure opening the scoring in what was his final game for the club before heading off to university.

It didn’t take Town long to make it two, as Dan Macdonald added to his already impressive goal tally following an assist from Lucas Harris.

Moments before half-time, the home side reduced the deficit to one after a great run from Harri Woodland, who delivered the ball to captain Lewis Jones, and his shot beat Jack Harris in goal all ends up.

The 62nd minute saw the away side extend their advantage once more though, with Jack Meredith finding the net following a corner for the Kingfishers.

And the fourth goal came from former England Schoolboys cap Macdonald after Monmouth won a free-kick in a dangerous position on the edge of the box, with Macca’s shot hit hard and low, giving Abertillery goalkeeper Daniel Parsons little chance.

Jake Bevan then added a fifth four minutes from the end of normal time after a great run down the side of the box, with Taylor Street providing the assist.

The comprehensive win was the perfect tonic following the end of their unbeaten run, when Rob Laurie had given the Kingfishers a flying start after just 10 minutes, only for PILCS to hit back with two before the break and a third on 71 minutes.

Saturday’s result puts the Kingfishers second in the Gwent Premier top tier table, three points off top spot with three games in hand on league leaders RTB Ebbw Vale.

Elsewhere on Saturday, the reserves suffered a sobering 8-0 defeat away to Caldicot Castle in East Gwent Division 1.

But on Sunday, Monmouth Town Women made history by winning their first league game away to Newport Valkyries.

Led by coach Ben Gouldingay, the Women’s side bounced back after the previous weekend’s opening game defeat at the Monmouth Sports Ground with an 11-3 victory, putting them second in the league table.

The U18s were held to a 2-2 home draw against Newport Corinthians, with Ioan Thomas and Arthur Burrett the goalscorers.

This Saturday (September 19), the first team are back in action in the Welsh Cup, making the trip to West Wales Premier League Pontarddulais Town in the first knockout round.

The reserves are at home against Underwood FC, looking to bounce back after the weekend’s tough result.

And on Sunday, the Youth side are at home to Cwmbran Celtic U18s in league action, while the Women travel to Cwmbran Celtic to face their Women’s 2nds.

Meanwhile, the club were raffling a signed 2024/25 Premiership-winning Liverpool FC shirt this week in memory of club reserve team manager, youth coach and treasurer Rich Thorp, who died last month.

All money raised will go towards St David’s Hospice Care and Melanoma Focus.