Gwent Premier League Premier Division

Monmouth Town FC 3 Abertillery Excelsiors 1

THE Kingfishers tamed the Tigers with a crucial comeback league win at the Sports Ground on Saturday thanks to three first-half goals in four minutes, reports JAMES TOWNLEY.

The two sides were fifth and sixth in the Gwent Premier top tier at kick-off, but a brace from Jacob Parrella and an own goal helped extend the gap between the two.

But it was the visitors who went a goal up within nine minutes, after a free-kick from Lewis Jones was headed into the net over Kingfishers keeper Ethan Ross by Curtis Pitt.

The game's opener was followed by chances for both sides, including a long-range strike from George Gouldingay which went just wide.

And it didn’t take long for the hosts to equalise, with Parrella making the most of a poorly-cleared shot from Gouldingay on 18 minutes and heading home from close range.

Moments later, Monmouth took the lead, this time with a Ieuan James own goal as he deflected a Kingfishers pass into his own net.

And to complete a breathless four minutes, it was almost immediately 3-1, Gouldingay making the most of a well-held ball from a pass from Josh Maksimovic, who played in Parrella to score his second.

The Tigers were rocked but pushed back, winning a free-kick in a promising position on the edge of the box, only to find Ross equal to the effort in the Kingfishers goal.

The visitors kept pressing but were unable to find a second before the break, with Monmouth holding a two-goal advantage.

Parrella almost bagged his hat trick after the restart, Dan Macdonald finding him after a good run from Ebrima Ndure on the left, only for the shot to flash just wide.

Macdonald then had a chance of his own to extend his side's lead, as he received the ball in front of goal but the shot went well over the bar.

Town had one final opportunity in the closing minutes to add a fourth, as a long-range free-kick from Rob Laurie found 16-year-old Monmouth Comprehensive pupil Lucas Harris and Parrella in the box, but both were unable to convert.

The ref then blew for a Monmouth win, which saw them go fourth just three points behind Rogerstone in third, with three games in hand.

First team manager Sam Palmer said: “Obviously disappointed to concede quite early, but the boys rallied and got three goals back pretty quickly, then took it to half-time and managed the game in the second half, which is really, really pleasing.”

Goal scorer Parrella added: “I think it was a good performance, and in terms of myself, getting two goals was really important, but also winning my defensive battles and staying disciplined.

"I think that was really important in the game. But team performance, I thought we all played very well.”

The 2nds settled for an East Gwent One 2-2 draw away to Caldicot Castle after goals from Henry Williams and Kyron Smith.

And it was unlucky 13 for Monmouth Youth's hosts Abergavenny on Sunday as the young Kingfishers ran amok, firing nine second half goals in a 13-0 demolition, six of them in the last 20 minutes.

Jake Lewis fired a hat-trick and Lamin Ndure a brace, backed by goals from Freddie Kemsley, Jack Turner, Charles Phillips, Lucas Harris, Harry Williams, Callum Wilding, George Gouldingay and Finley Cummins.

This Saturday (March 22), the 1sts host second-placed Lliswerry (ko 2pm) in an important promotion battle.

The 2nds play Undy 3rds away (1.15pm), while the Youth host Panteg on Sunday (2pm).