Monmouth Town 2 Treharris Athletic Western 0

Monmouth Town returned to winning ways and edged another three points closer to promotion with a two nil win over basement club Treharris Athletic at the Sportsground last Saturday. In truth, the Kingfishers were never at their most fluent and struggled all afternoon to maintain possession against a side they had beaten by eight goals to one back in November.

The visitors had not played for numerous weeks due to the inclement weather but had made three signings themselves in a bid to strengthen for their relegation fears, a feat they have achieved for the past three seasons, despite being bottom at Christmas.

The Town started the game nursing their wounds after the three nil defeat to Caerleon the previous week,, in addition to the suspensions of Jack Alderdice and Matthew Bowen. This resulted in a full debut to Tom Burns upfront and a return to the number ten shirt for Ashley Ford. Aaron Davies returned to the bench but realistically is still a couple of weeks away from full fitness.

The Kingfishers kicked off in the glorious Spring sunshine, but the game had to be stopped for five minutes after just three seconds when Smith’s attempted ball to the corner hit the onrushing midfielder flush in the face, resulting in lengthy treatment for the unfortunate number 8, who would later see red after two rash challenges.

The Town then looked comfortable for large periods of the first half but misplaced passes or too much time dwelling on the ball resulted in many break downs in play. The visitors rarely threatened themselves and Pass had a comfortable time in goal, dealing with any over hit passes that came his way. Tom Burns looked composed and can be happy with his performance, although decent service to him was limited. Ash Ford scuffed a shot when well placed and Sam Palmer struck at the goal keeper when one on one.

The Kingfishers nearly broke the deadlock when, from a Dean Palmer free kick Smith volleyed from an acute angle that just clipped the corner of the upright. Thirty seconds later, however, and the Town got their opening goal. Tom Burns persevered on the touchline and after his initial shot was only parried, Elliot Ford was on hand to fire the ball home from six yards. The home supporters and players alike then expected the floodgates to open, but the Town continued to struggle to maintain possession and show composure on the ball resulting in the half time score remaining at one nil.

The second half continued in the same manner of the first. Sloppy passing and poor decision making resulting in a scrappy affair that certainly wasn’t one for the purists. Jacob Guy and Ross Kennedy dealt well with any threat from the large visiting centre forward, and, on the rare occasion he did win an aerial battle, Pass was on hand to collect. As the game continued, the home side became more frustrated and the visiting side started to niggle and collect some needless cards. The first dismissal came after seventy minutes when Smith was taken out late and from behind resulting in the Treharris number 8 receiving his second caution of the game. 

Treharris introduced their substitutes only for the one to collect two yellows in the space of six minutes. The first came when Smith took a quick free kick that was goal bound only for the Treharris substitute to stick out a hand and concede a penalty. Craig Lewis, who had replaced Burns, decided he was the man for the job but his strike was too central and the visiting keeper saved comfortably. Smith was again in the action, when after a tackle, the same substitute decided to stamp on him as he got up. The referee spotted the act and reduced the visitors to 9. Despite this, the Town still struggled to keep possession but did make the game safe when a Dean Palmer run eventually found Lewis who made amends for his spot kick to slide pass the keeper and wrap the game up.

Manager Burns wasn’t pleased with the performance but insisted that the result was more important in the quest of promotion to Division One. “In all fairness, it’s probably the worst we have played this season no one can really put their finger on why. We were never under any real pressure yet struggled to pass the ball ten yards at times. Having said that, it’s another three points and we’re closer to the 60 point mark than we were at the start of the game. Other results have gone our way so all in all it’s another positive weekend for the club. We will certainly have to play better next week when Newport YMCA visit us”.

The Kingfishers and the Five Pound Football Club hold their first fan day next Saturday so a large crowd is expected. Come along and support your Local Club as they aim to gain promotion to the 2nd tier of the Welsh Pyramid, Kick off 2.30 p.m. 

Highlights of this game and all home games this season can be viewed by visiting the Club Website and clicking on YouTube (Kingfisher TV).