Ardal South East League

Monmouth Town 2 
Brecon Corries 3

THE Kingfishers were left shell-shocked when skipper and team talisman Ash Ford suffered a broken leg that will probably see him out until next season.

Town were leading 2-1 at the time of the heavy 50-50 challenge that caused the fracture early in the second half, and it no doubt contributed to the game slipping away as Corries then equalised before going on to win 3-2.

Things looked so different after only two minutes when Luke Firkin drilled in a low cross from the right and Iwan Mooney was on hand to convert the opportunity past Declan Gaydon from close range for a 1-0 Monmouth lead.

The visitors hit back though approaching the half-hour mark when Craig Evans’ low drive from just outside the penalty area took a deflection and beat Daniel Keane in the Monmouth Town goal at his near post.

The lead was regained just six minutes later, however, as a Lewis Davies pull-back from the byline was forced home at the near post by Joe Beckett. The fifth-placed Kingfishers then headed back to the changing rooms with a 2-1 advantage, hopeful of cementing their push for the top places.

But Ford’s injury that later needed an operation rocked the hosts, and Corries took advantage equalising for the second time when captain Dale Evans rifled a 25-yard free-kick into the top corner of the net after 68 minutes.

And the hosts suffered a further blow just four minutes later when Nathan Williams headed home a cross from the right flank at the far post to put their opponents in the lead for the first time.

The Kingfishers pushed for an equaliser during the closing stages but were unable to negotiate a way past a stubborn visiting rearguard led by Dale Evans in the heart of the Corries defence.

The club posted on Sunday: “It was a disappointing day for more than just football reasons yesterday.

“An injury to Ashley Ford in the second half has resorted in him having to have surgery on a leg fracture. Everyone at the club wishes Ash the best with the surgery and his recovery. Go well skip.”

The Kingfishers will be hoping to bounce back at home to Tredegar Town this Saturday afternoon (November 26).