Gwent Premier League Premier Division

Sifil AFC 1 Monmouth Town FC 2

The Kingfishers secured their first win of the season at Newport-based Sifil AFC, two goals from Dan MacDonald and an Ethan Ross penalty save deciding a tightly contested game on Saturday, reports JAMES TOWNLEY.

Despite having to face three penalties across the 90 minutes, the Kingfishers managed to come away with their first three points of the season.

It was a quick start from Monmouth, who bagged the first goal after four minutes, MacDonald found in space on the edge of the box from Mitchell Palmer’s corner, and the No 10 firing home.

The hosts fought back straight away, with Kingfishers keeper Ross being tested for the first time, before Derice McClean was fouled by Jack Meredith in the box, with Sifil awarded a penalty.

McClean stepped up to take it, and despite Ross guessing the right way, Sifil’s poacher gave their side the equaliser with a powerful strike into the bottom right corner.

And five minutes before half-time, the hosts were awarded another penalty, Callum Uttley clipping the back of McClean in front of goal.

But this time, Sifil’s No 9 was denied, firing the same way as previously but his effort saved by Ross.

The half-time whistle brought an end to a thrilling and frustrating encounter for both sides, but it was all to play for in the second 45 minutes.

And there were chances at both ends after the restart, but it was Monmouth who moved ahead in the 60th minute, a cross from Lamin Ndure only cleared by Sifil to the edge of their box, where Macdonald swept in, intercepted the defender, found space and struck the ball sweetly past Christopher Jones for 2-1.

With tensions rising in the heat, the closing stages proved aggressive, with a flurry of yellow cards.

The Kingfishers were trying to see out the game in the closing minutes but, in then gave away yet another penalty with just two minutes of normal time left.

McClean stepped up again with the chance of securing a point, but much to the Kingfishers’ relief this time he blazed his shot over the bar.

The final whistle sounded after a lengthy added time period, with the visitors’ first league win leaving them fifth in the table.

First team manager Sam Palmer said: “It was really, really good in the end; it’s been a difficult day; the weather conditions and everything don’t help.

“But we’ve ground out a really good result here away at Sifil, especially with the injuries we had throughout the game.”

Lucas Harris added: “I think coming here is really tricky. The team played really well against a tough team, so I’m glad we got the three points.”

The Kingfishers return to action this Wednesday (August 20) away to newly-promoted Marshfield (6.15pm), before having a week’s break and returning to action the following Wednesday (August 27) at Clydach Wasps.

Elsewhere, last season’s Ardal South East runners-up Chepstow Town secured their first win of the new campaign in midweek, downing Cardiff visitors Canton 2-1 thanks to a 21st-minute opener and a winner three minutes into stoppage time from Nathan Rose.

They then followed that up with a point at Wales’ highest football pitch on Saturday, drawing 1-1 with Blaenavon Blues thanks to a 44th-minute opener from Tyrone Tucker-Dixon.