Monmouth Town 6-0 Bettws

A glorious sunny afternoon at the Sports Ground in front of the largest crowd for many years was the stage for a six-goal thrashing the Kingfishers handed out to relegation-haunted former Welsh League champions Bettws.

The win leaves Town needing just three more points next Saturday (24th March) to clinch promotion to the Welsh League first division.

Starting without injured Matthew Bowen and Andrew Smith, and the jet-setting Sam Palmer, a cagey first half was illuminated by some good play from eventual man-of-the-match Rob Laurie and Elliot Ford being his usual pest down the right.

It was Ford who earned the penalty which he took confidently himself to put the Kingfishers in the lead with 14 minutes on the clock and more chances went begging as the league leaders struggled to make their possession tell.

The second half was an entirely different affair as the rampant Kingfishers ran in five goals. The first was a contender for goal of the season as Dan Spence tamed the dropping ball and let fly with a sweet left foot half volley from fully 30 yards, which crashed in off the bar.

Seven minutes later Alderdice met a corner at the back post to make it three before a sublime free kick from Dean Palmer ended the game as a contest.

Ford weighed in with his second on 81 minutes after great work by the lively peroxide Tom Maxted, making his first team debut to rave reviews, before Laurie got his reward for 90 minutes of endeavour and quality with his second in two matches.

The previous day, the reserves had hammered top of the table Croesyceiliog seven-two with a strong display and goals from Cleaves, Burns, Ford, Ryley and Barnard leaving them second in the table.

Manager Barry Burns is confident Town can clinch promotion this coming Saturday when they entertain Ammanford (31st March, kick off 2.30pm).

"Our first half performance was sloppy and we didn't keep the ball very well," he said.

"It earned the lads a rocket at half-time and they responded with a good second half display.

"We need another three points to be mathematically certain of promotion and if we play like we did in the second periods we can get them and concentrate on winning the title."

Chairman Lee Robson was hoping for another big crowd.

"It was a great turn out on Sunday and people were certainly entertained," he said.

"We are on the brink of something very special here with the highest level of football in the county on your doorstep.

"These lads deserve to be cheered to the rafters if they can clinch the promotion on Saturday. Do it for the Town!"