Gwent Premier League County Motors Challenge Cup Semi-Final

Pill AFC 3 Monmouth Town FC 1

THE Kingfishers had high hopes of reaching a second cup final on Saturday, but were beaten 3-1 away by Pill AFC, reports JAMES TOWNLEY.

Monmouth had lost their past four games against the hsts before the semi-final, and this was extended to five as Pill made it through to face Rogerstone in the final.

The first chance came in the form of a Pill free-kick, but the hosts failed to threaten the Monmouth goal.

It was a quick start for Monmouth, however, as they went one goal up in just ten minutes, Ebrima Ndure setting Dan Macdonald up to strike it past the keeper.

Just a minute later the Kingfishers had a chance to double the lead from a free-kick on the edge of the Pill penalty box, with defender Gary Colborne shown yellow for the challenge on Jacob Parrella.

Former England Schoolboys cap Macdonald stepped up to take the set piece, but the shot went straight at Luke Wallace in goal.

Pill finally responded with a chance of their own, Taylor Street finding space on the right of Monmouth’s penalty box, but his shot flying well over the crossbar.

Town then won another free kick in a threatening position, and the delivery found Sam Oxley with his effort needing a good save from Wallace to deny them a second.

Monmouth then thought they had doubled the lead after Ashley Ford flicked the ball up to Macdonald who put the ball in the back of the net, only for the ref to blow for offside.

The half-time whistle blew, and it was Monmouth going into the changing rooms at the break with a one-goal advantage and every hope of winning through to the final.

But the hosts had other ideas after the restart, with the Monmouth crossbar being hit within seconds in a sign of the bombardment to come.

The visitors just seemed to be clinging on in the second half, and Pill levelled after 60 minutes when Ben Lawrence dribbled around Kingfishers keeper Ethan Ross.

And just a minute later Ross was caught out off his line, with Tyrell Kenton taking full advantage from long range to give the hosts a 2-1 lead.

To add insult to injury, Pill scored a third goal 20 minutes later to secure victory, with Lawrence grabbing his brace.

At least Monmouth can look forward to the Gwent County Senior Cup final, where they will meet Gwent Premier table toppers Cwmbran Town.

Elsewhere, the 2nds settled for a draw at home against Caldicot Town 3rds, drawing 2-2 with goals from Freddie Kemsley and Harry Williams.

The Youth dominated Chepstow's Thornwell R&W U18s on Sunday, winning 7-1 thanks to a Jake Lewis hat-trick, a Matthew Hopkins brace, and goals from Lucas Harris and William Kelsall.

The 1st XI will be in action twice on the road this week, as they play Lucas Cwmbran away on Wednesday night (April 2) and New Inn away on Saturday (April 5).

The 2nds play Thornwell R&W 2nds on the Saturday, while the Youth play on Thursday night (April 3) at home against New Inn U18s and on Sunday (April 6) away against Panteg Youth.