Monmouth Town go top for the first time - Monmouth Town 3 Goytre Utd 0 (From Free Press Series)

Monmouth Town go top for the first time - Monmouth Town 3 Goytre Utd 0

12:41pm Monday 11th March 2013 in Sport

 MONMOUTH Town’s Kingfishers flew to the top of the Welsh League for the first time in the club's 136-year history after a 3-0 win over Goytre United.

The win came courtesy of goals from Nick Harrhy, Jacob Guy and Dan MacDonald, some fine defending and a lacklustre performance from the former Welsh league Champions, Swansea-based Goytre United.

Town are in pole position following a remarkable rise up the football ranks from lowly Gwent County leagues a mere eight seasons ago, to winning back-to-back Welsh League divisional titles and now looking for an unprecedented hat trick. A little title tittle-tattle is no bad thing but Saturday was remarkable for how routine it all seemed.

Title rivals Taffs Well had held the lead for a number of weeks before two defeats including Friday night's 4 -3 reverse at Ton Pentre had handed the initiative to Monmouth who knew a win would take them top for the first time in their 136 year history.

Lesser teams would have found that added pressure caused some jitters but there was no sign of that as Town took a 6th minute lead, Elliot Ford making a great decision to roll a fine cross into Harrhy’s path and his finish was clinical.

Tyre tracks had laid waste to the river end penalty area but that didn’t put off Town extending their lead on 26 minutes as a deep corner from Harrhy was turned in at the far post by Jacob Guys posterior.

Town did have to defend for a small while in between and Davies the Goytre striker crashed a relatively simple chance against the bar which would have reduced the arrears, but they then simply shifted through the gears, switching this way and that before MacDonald found himself bearing down on goal with predictable results.

A 3 - 0 half time lead was just reward for a blistering 45 minutes.

The second half was a less entertaining half but the game had been won and it was more a case of not conceding as Blackburn’s back five kept their third consecutive team clean sheet.

Town still dominated possession and territory and had by the far the better ideas going forward with Harrhy again proving pivotal, MacDonald looking sharp again and Ford causing problems all afternoon. A great combination put in MacDonald who was upended to earn a penalty which was saved by the keeper.

Lee, Hyde and Skopinski were introduced for Harrhy, Palmer and MacDonald and again did themselves no harm with comfortable displays with Lee in particular catching the eye with his bravery and invention. Skipper Alderdice deserves a mention for his vigorous display while Rob Laurie seemed to provide a swagger in midfield as the pair of them bossed proceedings.

Boss Barry Burns was not getting carried away after the match “It’s very pleasing as we’d rather be top than anywhere else but it’s just a punctuation mark on a long hard season. There’s far too much football to be played to start thinking we’ve achieved anything other than feeling good about ourselves. If we’re still there when everyone’s played 30 games then we’ll have cause to celebrate. We did play very well for the first half and I was very pleased for everyone. All we have to do is keep playing like that and we won’t be far off.”

Town’s second placed reserves, however, went down 5 -0 to table topping Cardiff Met University and but the Youth team soundly beat runaway leaders 2 - 0 last Sunday. Jones and Cleaves the scorers for the Kingfishers.

This Saturday Town are looking to make it six straight wins when they take on Ton Pentre at home (kick off 2.30). Next Saturday evening (16th) local band. The Donnachies are playing in a title challenge fund raiser at the club house with free entry for everyone (8pm).