Welsh League Division One - Monmouth Town 4 Ton Pentre 1

MONMOUTH Town enjoyed a successful return to action after the Christmas break, recording a 4-1 victory over the Rhondda Bulldogs Ton Pentre.

Goals from Sam Palmer, Kazeem Kareem, Ash Ford and Robbie Atkinson saw the Kingfishers climb above their opposition in the league table, having seen performances improve since the arrival of Ross Kennedy as manager.

Before kick off Monmouth sat 13th in the league and, having recorded six points from a possible 12, Kennedy was forced to make two changes to his side that beat Caerau Ely bringing in Craig Lewis and Dan Spence for the departing Dafydd Jones whose Newport County loan expired and Elliot Ford who has left for Cinderford Town.

Ton Pentre were winless since 8th October and sat 12th in the league.

The Kingfishers started the game positively and pressed the visitors high up the pitch looking very dangerous in wide areas but were also vulnerable on the counter attack. Both teams struggled to create any chances in the opening stages, but it was Monmouth who took the lead in the ninth minute. Jake Robinson’s floated ball into the box was claimed by Ton’s goalkeeper, but he dropped it and the ball fell to Sam Palmer who calmly volleyed it into the bottom corner of the net.

The Town continued to dominate early proceedings but were still vulnerable on the counter attack. The visitors nearly found the equaliser when their midfielder played a long ball in behind the Kingfishers’ defence which their winger ran onto and passed the ball across to his striker. One on one with Lee Williams, the striker hit the post and the Town managed to get the ball away.

Moments later Monmouth extended their lead with a good finish from Kazeem Kareem. Rob Laurie ran at Ton’s defence and played a through ball which Kareem ran onto and, with only the keeper to beat, calmly chipped him to score an important second.

In the 25th minute any Ton Pentre comeback seemed unlikely when their centre back was sent off for a ‘studs up’ challenge on Craig Lewis. Monmouth made the extra man and their two goal count and moved the ball quickly and nearly got another goal when an excellent save prevented Mitchell Palmer’s shot from 30 yards out from putting the game beyond the visitors. Against the run of play Ton got a goal back when a long throw into the box was flicked on by their striker and their winger headed it into the bottom corner leaving Lee Williams no chance and making the score 2-1 at halftime.

The Kingfishers started the second half positively and knew they needed to get the next goal. The Town troubled Ton in wide areas of the pitch and Jake Robinson and Sam Palmer always looked a threat running at the away sides defence.

Monmouth were rewarded for their positive start to the second half and, making the most of their numerical advantage, Ash Ford scored the third. Sam Palmer played the ball into Ford who went one on one with Ton’s keeper and calmly slotted it into the bottom corner. The Kingfishers continued to dominate proceedings and nearly found a fourth when Sam Palmer cut in on his right foot and shot, however, the Bulldogs goalkeeper made another magnificent save and tipped Palmer’s shot over the bar.

The Bulldogs had a spell of their own soon after and despite being down to ten men attacked at Monmouth with real intensity. They nearly got a goal back when their player floated a corner into the box which their striker headed just over the bar. They had a penalty shout minutes later when their midfielder was through on goal. Luke Cleaves tackled him from behind but the referee waved play on.

The visitors continued to search for a goal to get back into the game in the latter stages of the game, but Monmouth’s defence was too organised and resilient to be troubled. With the away side throwing everything at Monmouth the Kingfishers broke away, substitute Jordan Heales played the ball into Robbie Atkinson who slotted the ball past the goalkeeper.

Manager Ross Kennedy said he was “pleased” and “satisfied” with his team’s performance. He said: “I felt we were the better team throughout the game and deserved the three points. I thought at times it was scrappy but I feel ever since I took over we’re improving each game and I’m pleased with our progress since I took over.”

The Kingfishers next welcome Barry Town United on the 14th January. They continue to look to climb the table and continue their good form.