Gwent Premier League Premier Division

Monmouth Town Fc 1 Caerleon Town 0

THE Kingfishers took a narrow pre-Christmas win against Caerleon FC, holding on to their early lead to beat the travelling side by just one goal, reports JAMES TOWNLEY.

A tense game saw only one goal, scored by Town’s Tommy Chubb early on, in what was his first game back for the club this season.

The visitors were arguably the better side in the second half of the game, but Monmouth’s solid defence and the safe hands of Ethan Ross in goal ensured the hosts took the three points.

The hosts showed promise in the opening minutes of the game, generating two very strong chances at goal, both of which were narrowly missed.

Monmouth’s first opportunity came from a well-worked attack when the ball was played to Dan Macdonald on the edge of the box, who lifted it into the area, where it found the head of Ashley Ford, who nodded it to Oscar Elias, whose volley was struck straight at George Lohfink in goal.

Then Chubb received the ball in front of goal after an excellent cross from James Greaney, but unfortunately the No 7 struck the ball just wide.

Just over a minute later however, Macdonald found Chubb on the left who weaved past the opposition defence andf hit the ball past Lohfink to put the hosts in front.

The Kingfishers maintained their momentum, showing as the stronger side as the first half continued. Macdonald next receiving the ball in a promising area in the box but his shot was met by the Caerleon defender.

With just a few minutes left of the first half, Ash Ford denied the visitors the equaliser after helping out Ross in goal to prevent Mark Millinship from scoring.

As the second half got underway, it was very much like the opening half of the game, close and tense, with the intensity building as both teams pushed harder to get past the opposition defence.

Monmouth had the first chance of the half, as the ball was played into the box before Caerleon cleared.

The visitors were then intercepted in a dangerous position by Finley Thorp, but his shot was saved.

Captain Ford, then received the ball on the edge of the box in a great position to extend the hosts' lead, but it was another great save from Lohfink.

Despite Caerleon’s relentless pressure, the final whistle eventually ended the game to give Monmouth an important victory to extend their unbeaten league run to nine games.

The Kingfishers now move to fifth in the league table, and next face RTB Ebbw Vale at home on Saturday (January 4) in the GCFA Senior Cup.

Monmouth's 2nds also downed Sudbrook CC in an East Gwent One table-top battle, winning 3-1 away to close the gap to three points.

Sixteen-year-old Jake Lewis put the visitors 1-0 up on 40 minutes before Rory Sheppard doubled the lead just three minutes later.

Sam Williams added a third eight minutes into the second half, and a last-minute goal for the hosts was the only blip for the Kingfishers, who leapfrogged Caldicot Castle into second.