AC Pontymister AFC - 2

Abergavenny Town FC - 6

AFTER rattling in 116 goals, conceding only 20, and winning every league encounter this season to date, Abergavenny Town have won promotion to the Welsh League with five games remaining.

Following their 6-0 demolition of Abertillery Excelsiors at Pen-y-Pound the previous Tuesday night, where Craig Norman grabbed a four -timer and Dean Morgan notched a double, Town travelled to Pontymister in good spirits last Saturday, knowing another three points would see them crowned champions.

Despite an early set back, when Pontymister took the lead, Town battled back, and when Dean Morgan sent over a right wing cross on the half hour, Craig Norman was on hand to nod home.

As half time approached, Pontymister failed to deal with a Town free kick and in nipped Aaron Norman to give Town the half time advantage.

The second half opened bizarrely , barely a minute in Pontymister were given a lifeline, when they were awarded a penalty which they duly converted to draw level. Then in the space of 30 seconds it was Town's turn to benefit from a spot kick, which was also put away to swing the advantage back to them.

On the hour mark, Town were starting to control the game and when Rhys Whiteman, broke down the right wing his cross was met by Dan Jenkins, who rose like a salmon to beat Ponymister's six foot six goalkeeper Mc Laughlin.

Town thought they might have struck goal number five but Jake Heckles' thunderbolt of a strike was ruled out for offside. However two minutes later he went on a solo run and slipped the ball over McLaughlin to give Town the three goal cushion.

Then came the goal of the game for Town, and a fitting one with which to win the championship.

Ben Bannon received the ball on the edge of the box, went forward beating three in the process, but when his way ahead was blocked he went backwards, then into the box again, before firing past McLaughlin from six yards.

The verdict from Town's Pen-y-Pound base camp on winning the championship, and gaining promotion with five games to spare was "mission accomplished."

Everyone involved with Abergavenny football agreed that after far too long an absence it will be something special to see the name of the town featuring in the Welsh League fixture lists once more.

A club spokesperson told the Chronicle, "We have seen support for our club rise significantly as the season has progressed, and we would like to thank every one of those supporters. This is their just reward. We would also like to thank the management, players and coaching staff, and congratulate them on a wonderful achievement".

Town will now set their sights on maintaining their unbeaten record for the remaining five league games of the season. The only dropped points of the season, was as far back as August last year in a 3-3 draw with Abercarn Utd.

During this campaign, Town have rattled in 116 goals and conceded only 20, and still harbour ambitions of a league and cup double as they entertain Newport Corinthians at Pen-y-Pound on Saturday (3.00pm) in the last 16 of the County Motors Challenge Cup.

There could soon be a double promotion celebration at Pen-y-Pound, with Town's Gwent Central League side also riding high in Division Two.

Their recent run, under the watchful eye of Phil Hemmings, sees them unbeaten in 14 matches, and has launched them into runners up spot. If they remain unbeaten in their only match left this season, away against third placed Penygarn & Trevethin, on Saturday, they too, will find themselves promoted.