Caerleon 3-0 Monmouth Town

Monmouth Town returned to league action last Saturday (18th February) after a four week lay-off but came home nursing a three-goal defeat and suspensions that will test their strength in depth in future weeks.

2012 AD, that's after Dan (MacDonald), started with a short journey to county and promotion rivals Caerleon, who had held the town to a two-two draw at the Sports Ground back in October after the Kingfishers had been cruising two-nil in front, until the dismissal of Ross Kennedy enabled the Newport outfit to peg the table toppers back.

It was a mixture of ill-discipline and some controversial refereeing decisions that hit the Town hard again this time out, as the Kingfishers finished the game with nine men after skipper Alderdice and front man Bowen had been given their marching orders.

The lay off and the absence of Dan Macdonald didn't seem to affect Monmouth in the early stages as they set about their usual game with some neat flowing attacking football, creating a couple of decent chances that Blackburn in the home goal saved well.

Caerleon look to play the ball long and into the corners as quickly as possible, but the visiting defence seemed comfortable with dealing with any threat that came.

As the first half grew, the home side started pressuring and harrying the Town more when in possession, resulting in some hurried and wayward passing when composure was needed.

The young official seemed intent on setting his stall out and, despite the game showing few nasty challenges, he found it fit to book no fewer than seven players in the first half.

The sides went in at the break goalless, with both creating half chances, the best for the Town falling to Bowen and a couple to Sam Palmer, who had one goal-bound effort cleared off the line.

It was evident that this was going to be a tight game and that the first goal would be crucial.

The Kingfishers started the second half slowly and again struggled to gain any rhythm due to some poor passes and wrong decisions.