Welsh League Division One - Monmouth Town 2 Goytre AFC 1

MONMOUTH Town rode their luck at times but eventually secured a deserved third win in a row at home to Goytre AFC on Saturday.

On a blustery, chilly day Monmouth started well, taking the lead within five minutes with Ashley Ford’s deflected effort.

They doubled their lead soon after, with a well-hit free kick from Mitchell Palmer, but could not take further chances and the visitors were looking dangerous when they scored with 15 minutes remaining.

The Kingfishers’ defence held firm though, with some help from the woodwork, as they continued their recent run of form to move out of the relegation zone.

Before kickoff Monmouth knew a win would be vital for their survival chances, and came into the clash in the relegation zone and a point behind Port Talbot Town.

The Kingfishers had recorded back to back wins for only the second time this season going into the game after beating relegation rivals Caldicot Town and Risca United.

The home side started the brighter of the two sides, and within five minutes took the lead. Sam Palmer’s floated ball into the box was cleared by a Goytre defender, but the ball fell to Ashley Ford on the edge of the box whose first time shot was deflected into the top corner.

The Kingfishers continued to dominate early proceedings and had a good chance to double their lead soon after when Sam Palmer’s whipped corner into the box found Dan Spence at the back post whose header was acrobatically tipped over the bar by Goytre’s keeper.

Goytre started to come into the game and started to trouble Monmouth’s defence. They had a great chance to equalise when a through ball found their striker who attempted to chip Lee Williams but, luckily for the home side, it hit the bar and was cleared.

Monmouth’s second came soon after. Robbie Atkinson was fouled just outside the box and Mitchell Palmer stepped up, curling his shot around the wall and into the top corner.

Goytre had two good chances to pull one back just before the break. First former Monmouth man Dan Macdonald volleyed just wide of the post, before Lee Williams was forced into making a diving save to keep the score at 2-0 to the hosts.

Monmouth started the second half like they started the first, and caused Goytre many problems with youngsters Brad Flay and Robbie Atkinson looking a major threat whenever they got the ball.

They could’ve had a third when Sam Palmer was fouled on the edge of the box and Rob Laurie’s effort forced Goytre’s keeper into making a fine save.

The away side were coming into the game now, looking increasingly dangerous on set pieces with their height and causing Monmouth’s defence numerous problems. Macdonald had a good chance to pull a goal back for Goytre when his drilled free kick was tipped onto the bar by Williams.

Goytre were dominating possession, and Monmouth could not get out of their own half. Another former Monmouth man Josh Brown had a great chance to pull a goal back when he went one on one with Lee Williams but he dragged his shot wide.

Brown had another great chance moments later when again he went one on one with Lee Williams but Williams made himself big and made a good save.

Goytre continued to attack at Monmouth with real intensity in the latter stages of the game as they searched for a goal. They had yet another opportunity to get their side back into the game when, after good link up play between target man Lewis Sommers and Macdonald, it fell to Brown but he put his shot just wide.

With 15 minutes to play, Goytre finally made the breakthrough when Monmouth failed to clear a cross and their midfielder won the ball and slotted it past Williams from close range.

With time running out Monmouth were defending like their lives depended on it, knowing how important a win would be for their chances of staying up. Deep into stoppage time Goytre had a great chance to salvage a point when their midfielder hit a shot 20 yards out but his effort struck the post, allowing Monmouth’s defence to clear the ball away.

Manager Ross Kennedy described his team’s performance as “superb” and “well-deserved”. He said: “I thought we played excellent and deserved our win. I thought our back four were solid again and we took our chances well. We rode our luck at the end but I was extremely happy with the teams work rate and desire.”

Monmouth are home again next Saturday to relegation rivals Port Talbot Town in another crucial Welsh League fixture as they look to make it four wins on the bounce.