Gwent Premier League Premier Division

Monmouth Town FC 4 Abertillery Excelsiors 1

MONMOUTH Town ended their last home match of the season on a high following a strong 4-1 win over Abertillery Excelsiors at home in the Gwent Premier League.

With promotion still on the cards, every point counts for the high-flying Kingfishers in their remaining matches to maintain the pressure on the chasing New Inn, who have games in hand.

Town started the game on the front foot, providing threatening chances in front of the visitors’ goal.

Fin Thorp sent a dangerous ball into the box in the direction of Taylor Street, but his header was sent just over the bar.

Then on 14 minutes after a great run on the right wing, Brad Phillps sent a cross into the penalty area.

The ball found Robbie Atkinson, whose header was on target to give the Kingfishers the lead.

It didn’t take long for Monmouth to make it 2-0, as five minutes later after keeping possession at the back, Dan Spence played a great long pass to Street and the Kingfishers’ poacher struck the ball past Ioan Fisher for his 15th league goal of the season.

The hosts maintained their advantage going into the half-time with a win looking on the cards for the promotion chasers.

Their momentum however was stumped slightly in the opening period of the second half when they conceded a penalty eight minutes after the restart.

Abertillery’s Harri Woodland stepped up to take the spot-kick and converted it to make it 2-1 and put the pressure back on the hosts.

Nevertheless, it didn’t take the Kingfishers long to find their feet again, with Dan MacDonald netting a goal within two minutes to restore the two-goal lead.

A promising free-kick was then won by the hosts on the edge of the box, with an opportunity for Dan Macdonald to make it a three-goal advantage.

However, his attempt was hit into the hands of Fisher this time.

Monmouth kept their intensity right until the very end though, with Jacob Perrella making it 4-1 slotting under the keeper in the first minute of added time to cement a strong victory for the home side.

The win left the Kingfishers second in the league with 65 points and 29 games played whilst New Inn are nine points behind on 56 points with five games in hand, although Monmouth’s goal difference is currently 16 goals better.

Monmouth Town also hosted their awards evening on Saturday night.

Claire and Paul Sullivan received special recognition for their dedication, while in the reserves, Nathan Ward was named Most Improved, Harry Wilson took Players’ Player, and Fin Cummins earned Manager’s Player.

For the first team, Lucas Harris had an exceptional year, winning both Young Player and Players’ Player, while Rob Laurie was named Manager’s Player.

Louise and Ben Gouldingay were honoured as Club Members of the Year and James Townley received the Presidents Recognition Award.

The Kingfishers play their final match of the season this Wednesday (April 29) away to Newport Saints, who are currently second from bottom and in need of wins in their final games to escape the drop zone.

Monmouth Town 2nds end their East Gwent One season, where they sit sixth, on Saturday (May 2) on the road away to Caldicot Castle.