Gwent Premier County Motors Cup Quarter-Final

Monmouth Town FC 4 Lliswerry FC 3

A DAN Macdonald injury-time wonder goal licked the Lizards to put the Kingfishers through to the semi-finals of the Gwent Premier Cup at Blestium Stadium, as a drama-filled match finished 10 v 9, reports JAMES TOWNLEY.

Lliswerry AFC provided a tough challenge in the last eight and the huge game did not disappoint.

Following a 6-1 league win over Lucas Cwmbran the previous weekend, Monmouth were in high spirits and good form coming into Saturday.

And the match started well as a well-worked attack down the right forced Paul Hill into scoring an own goal with just four minutes gone.

It did not take long for the Lizards to level though, Ashley Sully replying within six minutes, which is how it stayed to half-time.

And it got harder for the Kingfishers in the 59th minute, when Lliswerry’s Dale Cooke scored their second to go 2-1 up.

But Town quickly fought back, as a corner five minutes later was converted by MacDonald to make it 2-2.

The hosts continued to push forward entering the last 20 minutes before Rob Laurie headed on to George Gouldingay who slotted home to make it 3-2 on 77 minutes.

The visitors then saw red, as goal scorer Cooke was given his marching orders with just 10 minutes to play.

This didn’t seem to stop them though, as Finnley Chard popped up to level 3-3 with just six minutes of normal time left.

And the tension grew as the clock ticked down, with both sides seeing red in the 89th minute following an altercation between Ashley Ford and opposition keeper Rhys Cox.

Monmouth then won a free-kick in a promising position and former England Schoolboys cap MacDonald delivered his trademark finesse, to give the Kingfishers the lead a minute into stoppage time.

And it proved the crucial strike moments later as the referee signalled a well-deserved win after a hard-fought game.

The 2nds lost out 3-1 at East Gwent 1 title rivals Sudbrook CC though, Henry Williams with the consolation, leaving them third.

Elsewhere, Chepstow Town moved up to third in the Ardal South East League after a 3-1 derby home win over Undy.

Two goals in three minutes from Mallachi Graham (23) and Josh Parsons (26) put the Jockeys on top before a 35th-minute reply from Scott Rodway.

And it stayed a one-goal game until three minutes into stoppage time when Sonny Lewis sealed the deal.

The 2nds also leap-frogged mid-table rivals Croesyceiliog after beating them 4-1 away in the SE Reserves League, Dan Drake scoring in the first minute and Joseph Heal adding a second three minutes later, with Bailey Hobbs (28) and Alfie Owen (52) also on target.

Neighbours Thornwell R&W also enjoyed a 4-0 home win over Trinant in Gwent Premier 2, Jamie Guscott (4, pen), Billy Jeffery (49) and Owain Westerman (59) among the scorers.

Usk lost out 2-1 at home to basement rivals Riverside though, Tiger Ramsey with their 88th-minute consolation.

The 2nds also lost 2-1 away to Forgeside 2nds in Gwent Central 2, but leaders Glascoed marched on with a 5-3 win at home to Pontypool Town 2nds, two last-gasp Dawson Stubbs goals (88, 91) securing the points after strikes from Jordan Taylor, Ryan Martin and Brent Chatham.

Chepstow Town 3rds lost 3-0 at Caldicot Castle in East Gwent 1, but Monmouth's Rockfield Rovers scored seven for the second week running in EG2, beating hosts Portskewett & Sudbrook 7-3 thanks to Ben Johnson and Ben Wiggins hat-tricks and a Joe Mudd goal.

Tintern Abbey had to give second best to visitors Severn Tunnel though, losing 3-0, while Redbrook Rovers were pipped 1-0 at Redmarley & Tibberton in North Gloucestershire One and their 2nds were walloped 9-2 at home by NG2 leaders Mushet & Coalway.

Monmouth Town host Rogerstone in the Gwent Premier top tier this Saturday (November 9), while the youth host Cwmbran Town U18s on Sunday.