Caldicot Town 1 - 0 Monmouth Town

The last and only time Monmouth Town won this cup, Hitler was busy flexing his muscles in and around Eastern Europe and Duncan Powell was kicking the inside of his mother's womb.

Then, the only stat that mattered was the final score and talk of formations was consigned to discussion about RAF squadrons.

Football was simple; wing halves, inside rights and rugged centre forwards. Possession, territory and completed passes were the preserve of the oval ball game.

Despite the onset of ProZone and the Opta index, football hasn't changed. The record books won't say that Monmouth Town had almost all of the ball or all of the territory, made the most successful passes or were unlucky or lucky depending on your point of view.

It will say 2013 Gwent Senior Cup Winners – Caldicot Town. The less myopic spectators will recall a successful defensive performance from Caldicot with a young 'keeper having the game of his life.

The boy could catch sticklebacks in the Usk with his bare hands. Blackburn in the Monmouth goal on the other had could have been charged admission – troubled only by long punts, hopeful shots and bizarrely two penalties which although correctly awarded were self inflicted and the sum total of attacking intent for the most part.

The game began brightly enough with the Kingfishers outgunning the Caldicot midfield but not really troubling the five-man defence.

Palmer had a free kick tipped over, Harrhy miscued when well placed but all the trickery, running and passing angles failed for the most part to penetrate a stubborn back line.

Caldicot did have breaks of their own in the first half but a fizzed shot and some interesting situations apart again didn't really trouble Blackburn. That came when Spence was caught in rather more than just two minds, was undone by Harris and brought him down.

He was possibly lucky not to receive red but Biggs did the rest from the spot.

The Kingfishers started with a bit more vim in the second half and Caldicot quickly conceded possession and territory but in truth Monmouth lacked the wherewithal to figure out whether to go round, through or over the massed ranks of blue.

They seemed to opt for the latter option but Sandiford, despite a few early wobbles under the high ball, regained his composure and claimed most of the high balls thereafter.

MacDonald stung his hands from a rasping free kick, placed another into the side netting, and as the game entered its final stages Laurie headed wide and Compton had a shot blocked on the line.

Some brave defending saw off other attempts. In between times, Spence conceded his second penalty with a push defending a corner that looked to be landing on the Sugar Loaf but Biggs pulled his spot kick wide.

Harrhy had a fair penalty shout turned away as did Alderdice as he was brought down late on – this time defender Crook seeing red. But that would be clutching at straws.

Caldicot came with a plan, executed it and took home the cup. No stats, no complaints. Just football. Old fashioned, painful and beautiful for all that.

Town to honour players at awards night

Monmouth Town's players will gather for their annual awards night at the club on Friday 24th May from 7pm.

The Kingfishers, sponsored by WyeMedia and Best of Monmouth with technical support from Errea UK and match day catering by The Raduni Restaurant, finished a very credible seventh in their first season in the top flight of Welsh League football and topped the league for a while at the beginning of March when they looked to be everyone's favourites.

Among the awards is the supporters player of the year voted by supporters and also the player of the year, who wins a trophy donated by Sonia Hunt in memory of her late father Harry Lewis, a former Town goalkeeper.

All players past and present are welcome to attend as are any supporters, families and friends.