Monmouth Town - 0

Haverfordwest County - 2

 

CHAMPIONS Monmouth Town's stunning recent run came to an end with a disappointing defeat against league leaders Haverfordwest in an intriguing encounter at Pen-y-Pound. The Bluebirds had reeled on the back of their own fine from and with both sides scoring 25 goals in eight matches, it was perhaps inevitable that was to be a rather close affair. Ford saw a decent effort clip the top of the bar and a couple of other good situations came to nothing, until Harrhy, returning from holiday, had two decent chances that he failed to covert. At the other end a defensive lapse let in the visitors and as the ball came to top scorer Jordan Follows from just six yards, it was odds on a Bluebirds goal but his strike cleared the ground perimeter.  

The same player had another effort superbly saved by Blackburn. The less said about a couple of second half efforts the better as perhaps fortuitously for Town the striker had an off day.  

Town for their part weren't exactly showing killer instincts either and should also have done better with clear goal scoring chances as Harrhy dragged one wide and Evans went round the keeper but his goal bound shot was cleared off the line. MacDonald stung the 'keepers hands a couple of times as the game ebbed to and fro.

In the second half Haverfordwest took control, as first Dale Griffiths and then his brother Dean grabbed goals to seal the win.

Winning the match, sponsored by Paul Jarrold Tyres, saw the Bluebirds go four points clear at the top with the Kingfishers remaining in second place.

 

Welsh Cup action returns to Abergavenny next Saturday for the first time since 1993 as Monmouth take on Ton Pentre in first round action (2pm). Pen-y-pound was the scene of one of the most memorable Welsh cup games when 3,500 people turned up to see Thursdays take on Kidderminster Harriers in their hey-day of 1989.

The Thursdays lost 2 -1 as Kidderminster made it to the final only to lose themselves 5 – 0 to Swansea City.

In a nod to that great day for Monmouthshire football, Monmouth are offering free entry to anyone who brings along a programme from that day.