Abergavenny Town - 2

STM Sports FC - 1

HAVING lifted the FAW Trophy the previous week, second placed Town returned to league duty last Saturday entertaining third placed STM Sports who quickly showed their league position had been achieved through merit.

They made a bright start, putting Town on the back foot from the off and it was no surprise when they went ahead after 24 minutes when Curtis Scotto cut inside an unleashed a venomous shot past Town ‘keeper, Tom Indge.

Both sides had chances after this but it was Dean Morgan who drew Town level ten minutes from the break.

At half time Town made two substitutions, with Aaron Norman and Richard Jeremiah coming on, and Town looked more threatening.

On the hour mark, Town made another substitution introducing Rhys Whiteman, and were stunned moments later when Dean Morgan had to leave the field with a hamstring injury.

Having used all of their substitutes Town were forced to play with ten men, but STM were slow to take advantage of their numerical superiority, and with ten minutes left Craig Norman broke through to smash home the all-decisive goal.

As the game went into nine minutes of added time Town held their nerve to win by the odd goal and claim three vital points.

This win opens up the gap between second and third place to nine points following Bridgend Street’s victory, which sees them leapfrog STM.

More importantly, following leaders Pontypridd Town’s reversal at Caerau this narrows the gap between Town and Ponty to seven points with Town having three games in hand over the leaders. The equation for Town is very simply, even if extremely daunting – win all of your remaining eight games and you will be champions.

Town continue their quest on Saturday away (and all of their remaining fixtures are away) at Cardiff based Bridgend Street with a 2.30pm kick-off.

Meanwhile Town’s reserve side returned to winning ways recording an excellent 1-0 win at local rivals Panteg.