Gwent County FA Senior Cup
Monmouth Town 6 Newport Saints 1
THE Kingfishers advanced to the semi-finals of the Gwent Senior Cup with a commanding win against the Saints, reports JAMES TOWNLEY.
Monmouth, who beat RTB Ebbw Vale in the previous round 8-1, were hoping for a replica performance, and the result was another statement victory.
Saturday’s game was switched to Monmouth Sports Ground due to Newport's ground being unavailable.
But Monmouth began by conceding a rare early goal, as an excellent Jonathan Vowles solo strike saw him flick the ball over Callum Uttley before placing the ball past keeper Ethan Ross after just six minutes.
Saints continued to press but Monmouth finally switched on, with shots from George Gouldingay and Dan MacDonald going just over the crossbar in close succession.
Kingfisher forward Ebrima Ndure was also proving a threat, and when a Luke Cleaves cross found him in the box on 26 minutes, he made no mistake placing it past goalkeeper Nathan Florence for the equaliser.
And it took just one minute for Monmouth to get their second as a fabulous long ball from captain Ashley Ford saw Dan Macdonald dribble past Florence for a 2-1 lead.
It then went from bad to worse for Saints as Jayden Saunders saw red following a nasty challenge on Monmouth fullback Jack Meredith, a game changing moment.
The hosts made the most of their extra man, creating more and more chances before the visitors then conceded a penalty on 41 minutes, converted by Macdonald for 3-1 at the break.
And just three minutes into the second period, the Kingfishers put the game to bed as some Ndure skill bagged his brace for 4-1.
Town then conceded a penalty following a foul from Rob Laurie at the back, but Vowles' spot kick was saved by Ross.
Monmouth reacted instantly and instant impact substitute Elliot Ford scored just two minutes after coming on after a long ball from Ashley Ford from the back on 71 minutes.
George Gouldingay then found space on the left and played the ball into the danger area for Jacob Perrella who fired home for the Kingfishers’ sixth and final goal with 15 minutes to play.
The final chance came for the visitors, as they were awarded another penalty, but Ross again denied Saints, capping a fantastic performance from Monmouth’s No 1.
First team manager Mark Morris said: "We didn’t have the best of starts... we were quite poor for the first 15 minutes, to give Newport Saints some credit.
"It took us a while to settle, but I think when we did we were very good.”
Keeper Ross added: “Two penalty saves, you can’t really go wrong with that. I thought the team played okay, but obviously there’s still room for improvement, but to get through to the next round with a win, I’m really happy.”
Due to the game switch, the 2nds game was postponed.
The Youth XI also beat Saints the following day, winning 4-2 with goals from Oliver Kennedy, Harry Wilson and Jack Turner.
This weekend, Monmouth Town host Clydach Wasps, while the 2nds travel to face Caldicot Town 3rds in the Harry Gill Cup and the Youth visit Newport Corinthians.