Gwent Premier League Premier Division

Monmouth Town FC 2 Sifil FC 2

MONMOUTH Town suffered a blow in their Gwent Premier League promotion hopes after fighting back to a 2-2 draw against Sifil AFC at home on Saturday.

After going in front before the break, the Newport visitors then grabbed a second after three players received red cards, before the Kingfishers scored two late goals in a feisty Sports Ground encounter.

Town started well, delivering the first opportunity of the game when Lucas Harris played a short but wide corner to Dan Macdonald on the edge of the box, but his shot from range was comfortably claimed by Phillip Hadley.

Sifil then applied pressure down the other end and it paid off, with Cameron Jenkins netting the opening goal after just seven minutes.

The Newport-based side benefitted from their high press as they broke into the hosts’ defence, and after two shots were blocked, the ball fell to Jenkins, who struck into the bottom left corner.

A few minutes later, the visitors almost grabbed a second, Amir Habibi making a great run through the middle of the Monmouth defence, but his shot going wide.

After starting on the left wing, a tactical switch saw Monmouth’s Robbie Atkinson move over to the right, soon making a good run and cutting inside, only to see his effort go just wide of the top left corner.

One of the best chances of the half for the Kingfishers came from a free-kick on the edge of the box, Macdonald stepping up to take it, but Hadley proving equal to it.

Half-time brought an end to a disappointing 45 minutes for Town, who needed to find an answer in the second half.

However, the second period started in a similar fashion, with Monmouth still allowing Sifil chances while struggling to convert their own.

There was then a lengthy delay after an altercation in midfield saw three red cards shown, with Sifil’s Regan Price and Habibi sent off, whilst Town’s Jake Bevan also received his marching orders.

But despite being down to nine men against 10, Sifil then made it 2-0, Ashton Hobbs delivering a cross from the left and Lewis Amphlett meeting it with a header.

The Kingfishers didn’t let up though, and with a lengthy period of added time to come, continued to push forward.

Luke Cleaves pulled one back for Town in the seventh minute of added time, when the experienced full-back took advantage of Hadley being off his line.

Then five minutes later, Macdonald played in a long free-kick into the box which found the head of Rob Laurie, whose header fell to Dan Spence, who placed the ball into the net to make it 2-2 in the dying moments.

Kingfishers manager Sam Palmer said: “We unfortunately weren’t at it today. A lot below our level, really disappointed in the changing room there.

“The game started well but it was a poor goal to concede in the first half and our reaction to it wasn’t great.”

The draw leaves Monmouth second equal on points at the top with Newport Corinthians, who have five games in hand, and four points above Marshfield in third who have a game in hand.

Monmouth Town 2nds lost 2-1 away against Severn Tunnel FC, letting in two goals in the first six minutes before replying through Huw Morgan on 60 minutes, whilst Theo Haycock saw red with 10 minutes to play.

Monmouth Town are back at home this Saturday (March 28) against RTB Ebbw Vale as they head into their final five games of the season.