MONMOUTH Town enjoyed two important home wins against Trinant AFC and Newport Saints last week, extending their winning run to eight games.

Their first match in midweek, in their first Sports Ground home game following the end of the cricket season, was a commanding 5-1 win over Trinant, which saw the Kingfishers progress to the next round of the Gwent Premier League County Motors Challenge Cup.

Town scored after only eight minutes through Dan Macdonald, but the visitors pulled the game level in the 27th minute, leaving the hosts to rethink and regroup.

But it only took Monmouth two minutes to go back in front, with Ollie Moss scoring for a 2-1 lead which they retained going into the break.

Second half goals from Lucas Harris (56), Fin Cummins (71) and a late penalty from Jake Bevan (89) then sealed the win for the Kingfishers, with a flurry of last minute cards seeing Trinant reduced to nine men with two ordered off.

Gwent Premier 2 outfit Usk Town also went through to the third round in a shock away win over Clydach Wasps from two divisions above.

They were unlucky not to win in normal time after goals from Griffin Morgan on 22 and 80 minutes put them 2-0 up, only for Wasps to level with two last gasp strikes.

But the Green Army then kept their nerve to win the penalty shoot out 4-2.

Monmouth 1sts returned to action on Friday evening in their Gwent Premier top tier league clash with Newport Saints at the Sports Ground.

The opener was again scored by the ever-influential Dan Macdonald in the 17th minute.

Fin Thorp’s cross found the head of Callum Uttley, whose attempt was deflected to the edge of the box to be met by the strong foot of Macdonald.

And Saints’ Nathan Florence in goal was no match for Mac’s sizzling shot.

Town quickly made it two when Lucas Harris found the back of the net five minutes later.

Macdonald’s run out wide delivered a low cross into the box, and despite the attempts of two Saints defenders, it found Harris to double the lead.

Despite going into the break 2-0 up, an early second-half goal from Nelson Wale-Alao (49) brought the city visitors back into the game.

And after a closely fought period, Saints equalised on 60 minutes when the hosts conceded a free-kick in a promising position on the edge of the box, with Cristino Lisboa stepping up to fire into the Kingfishers’ net.

However, Monmouth’s own free-kick magician would win the game for the hosts when the Kingfishers were given another promising opportunity on 84 minutes, Macdonald striking the ball into the net for the winner, to give Town a fifth win in five in the league.

On Saturday, the reserves got their 2026/27 East Gwent Division 1 season under way with a 4-1 loss at home against Undy AFC Thirds.

The Kingfishers started well, taking an early lead through Lamin Ndure, but Undy soon fought back to put four past the home side.

History was made on Sunday though, as Monmouth Town Women played their first league match against Nantyglo Women at the Sports Ground.

Despite a difficult afternoon for the ladies, it was a massive day for the club and the women’s side as they embarked on their new journey.