Bryntrion Athletic 2-1 Monmouth Town

If the victory over Haverfordwest was a high water mark for Town and evidence of their attacking prowess this was a low point in the art of finishing as chance after chance was spurned and that, coupled with an inability to deal with relatively benign attacking from former champions Bryntirion added to an inspired performance by athletic stickman Walters were the ingredients for a frustrating defeat for the Kingfishers.

The early play was dominated by a composed Monmouth team revelling in their new found confidence. Comfortable in possession and with Rob Laurie restored to the midfield the early play picked at the seams of a young Bryn outfit rebuilding after losing several key players during the summer.

On eight minutes Maxted replacing the unlucky Burns at centre forward was put clean though on goal but lifted his attempt over. Minutes later Ford emulated his strike partner and before twenty minutes were out Dan MacDonald had a strike saved superbly from point  blank range.

It seemed just a matter of time before the flood gates opened and a superb through ball from MacDonald set Ford free to beat the keeper in a foot race and with still a lot do lift his shot into the far corner of the net.

From there it should have been plain sailing but a stubborn Bryn had other ideas.  Attacking in the channels and causing some flutters of excitement Town failed to deal properly with one such raid leaving Rob Joules to go unnoticed and fire low past Blackburn to equalize after 32 minutes.

Panic ensued, the early composure disappeared and Bryntirion suddenly looked like they could get something from the game. Just six minutes later another poor clearance put the exposed back line in trouble and from a deep cross a looping header floated over Blackburn to drop in at the far post.

More chances went begging in the final flurries of the half as Ford inexplicably missed after a sublime pass from MacDonald, a Maxted effort was smothered and other pot shots went high and wide.

But still Town looked the team most likely.

It was perhaps predictable that Bryn would sit back in the second half and let the Kingfishers do all of the searching and so it proved. Even so Maxted should have done better when clean through, a drive by Ford was well saved by Walters and toward the end a belter from MacDonald was tipped over.

In between times Bryn almost caught Monmouth out with a couple of rare breaks with Blackburn making one smart save. The introduction Compton added a little bit more spice but for all their huffing and puffing it was Bryntirion's day with a laudable defensive display by a team that will get better as the season progresses.

Town for their part have the consolation that in other games they will play badly and win and will have to put this disappointment behind them on Tuesday in the Gwent Senior Cup at Croesyceiliog (6.30pm) before returning to Monmouth Sportsground for the first time this season against League Leaders AFC Porth kick off 2.30pm.

Club chairman Lee Robson is urging the Town's supporters to turn out to support.

"This is our first game home in Division One and as champions of Division Two so we'll be showing off that title and thanking people for their support so far and hopefully welcoming new supporters," he said.

"The football is a good entertaining level as you'd expect at the second tier of Welsh soccer.

"Our visitors will look to play the right way as do we and as they haven't conceded a goal while we've banged in 13, something's got to give."

Supporters will also have chance to buy a share in the club's new Limitd Company through the five pound football club and can do so online at http://www.fivepoundfootballclub.com">www.fivepoundfootballclub.com