THE Kingfishers broke their Pill curse as they defeated the Newport side 4-0 in their final Gwent Premier home game of the season, reports JAMES TOWNLEY.

But their win was quickly overshadowed by a 2-1 defeat away to Newport Saints on the weekend.

Starting with their home win and after a run of five defeats against Pill AFC, Monmouth Town managed to conquer a lacklustre visiting side on Wednesday night.

Monmouth won their last home game of the season 4-0
Monmouth won their last home game of the season 4-0 (James Townley)

The opener came in the 16th minute as Max Jepson scored his first goal since signing in March following a corner delivery from Mitch Palmer.

With half-time approaching, the hosts then scored two goals in quick succession, Sam Oxley firstly showing great technical skill to make it 2-0 on 41 minutes.

A race for the ball in the Monmouth v Pill game
A race for the ball in the Monmouth v Pill game (James Townley)

And then Jack Meredith, adapting to the No 9 role, fully got to grips with his new position as he fired the hosts three up right on 45 minutes, chipping the ball over Luke Wallace in the Saints goal.

Monmouth push forward in the 4-0 win over Pill
Monmouth push forward in the 4-0 win over Pill (James Townley)

The second half saw the same amount of action, proving a great watch for the Monmouth Town supporters as they watched the team dominate their last home game.

Monmouth dominate possession against Pill
Monmouth dominate possession against Pill (James Townley)

But they had to wait to the 85th minute for another score, when 16-year-old Jake Lewis fired his first senior goal, with the first to celebrate with him, his dad, Craig – a great moment to watch.

Congratulations for Jake Lewis from his dad Craig
Congratulations for Jake Lewis from his dad Craig (James Townley)

The referee then brought the game to an end, with first team manager Sam Palmer saying: “It was a really good, solid performance, professional... They’ve been a bit of a bogey side for us, Pill, so it was good to get one over on them, and after the disappointment of the Cwmbran game (2-2 draw, ending promotion hopes) we wanted to get back to winning ways.

A Monmouth player is first to the ball against Pill
A Monmouth player is first to the ball against Pill (James Townley)

“Sam Oxley was brilliant, especially in the first half. He’s not had the minutes he should have had, really, because he’s a good player, very good on the ball; his goal was exceptional today. “

First-time scorer Jake Lewis added: “Absolutely buzzing, there’s not a feeling like it. I think all the boys were class; from minute one. We looked like the better team, and we were all over them the whole game.”

In contrast, Saturday’s match saw Monmouth lose as they fielded a younger squad with many first-team players rested in preparation for the Gwent County FA Senior Cup final at Chepstow Town on Saturday, May 17, against Gwent Premier champions Cwmbran Town again.

It was a promising start for the Kingfishers, as Meredith tapped in the first goal of the game after 14 minutes following a mistake at the back from Newport Saints.

The visitors went in at half-time with a narrow lead, but that all changed in a minute midway through the second half.

In the 69th minute, Saints’ Jayden Ward equalised the game, and then almost from kick-off, Jack Williams put his team ahead for what was to prove the winner,

Monmouth are still guaranteed to finish third and play their final league game of the season on Wednesday (May 7) at Coed Eva Athletic.

Then, 10 days later, they travel to Chepstow to face Cwmbran Town in the cup final, with the chance of silverware to cap the season.

Monmouth Town 2nds disappointingly lost 4-0 at home in midweek to Caldicot Castle, who secured the East Gwent One title on goal difference from Sudbrook, with the Kingfishers third.