Gwent Premier League Premier Division

Rogerstone 2 Monmouth Town 3

THE Kingfishers started the new year with a dramatic 3-2 away win over Rogerstone to go top of the table.

With both sides riding high, the matchup was always going to be tight and it did not disappoint.

After a close start, the hosts began building momentum, with Jamie Goodfellow winning a free-kick deep in Monmouth’s half after being fouled by Jake Bevan, and Luke Thomas heading just wide from Callum Porter’s delivery.

The Kingfishers responded with their first chance from a corner, Bevan finding Dan Macdonald with a low ball into the box, whose shot was blocked and cleared.

Monmouth then created another chance as Robbie Atkinson’s solo run resulted in a shot, but straight into the hands of keeper Stephen Meaker.

But in the 23rd minute, Kingfishers’ Callum Uttley made a costly mistake following pressure from Alex Adams, who won the ball from the defender, ran through and scored the opener for Rogerstone.

Monmouth pushed back as Jack Meredith made a superb run through the middle, with the ball played to Taylor Street and laid off to Macdonald, whose shot was claimed comfortably by Meaker.

Town continued to threaten late into the first half though, with Atkinson breaking free on the right before cutting inside and shooting, with the drive blocked and rebounding to Lucas Harris, whose second effort forced the keeper to push it behind for a corner.

Fin Thorp delivered a higher ball this time, Macdonald heading it back to the feet of Meredith, who smashed the ball into the net for the equaliser and 1-1 at the break.

Rogerstone created the first chance after the restart, winning the ball back in the middle of the pitch and breaking forward into the box, where Mitchell Palmer made a crucial tackle.

And Monmouth then went in front, winning another corner in the 57th minute and Palmer’s delivery headed home by Rob Laurie for 2-1.

But the hosts’ Adams broke free on the right with 11 minutes to play and despite calls from the visitors for the ball going out, his pass into the box found Goodfellow who equalised with aplomb.

With the game entering the dying moments, it looked like a point apiece, but the Kingfishers had other ideas.

And with 89 minutes on the clock, Lamin Ndure won the ball to put Macdonald away on the wing, whose early ball into the box found Street, with the striker volleying over the keeper into the back of the net for the winner.

The referee blew moments later, rewarding the visitors with all three points and putting them back at the top of the table.

The reserves were also in action on Saturday beating Seven Tunnel 8-1 at home in East Gwent One.

Callum Wilding started the goal rush in the first minute, and just three minutes later, Harry Bailey grabbed the first of his three goals, completing his hat-trick inside 20 minutes.

Jake Lewis and Theo Haycock also scored in the first half, with Monmouth leading 6-0 at the break.

Nathan Ward scored twice after coming on for Lewis at half-time, while Chris Taylor netted a consolation for the visitors in the 70th minute.

This weekend, Kingfishers take on Caerleon FC at home while the 2nds are away to Caldicot 3rds.