Penybont - 2

Monmouth Town -1

ANOTHER disappointing defeat for the Kingfishers has put added pressure on the team to get back to winning ways sooner rather than later.

Starting this Saturday with a tough game against third placed Goytre United at Pen-y-Pound (2pm kick-off), Town have a run of games that will shape the rest of the season as the look ahead to a league cup quarter final fixture with Llanwern on February 14t at Newport Stadium .

Against Penybont, Monmouth seemed to have thrown of the shackles with a blistering first half performance that could and perhaps should have brought three or four goals. Within a minute Ford had outflanked the home defence to set up Harrhy who's efforts went wide. Ford had two great chances himself and looked much more like his old self as he threatened on a number of occasions. MacDonald hit the bar and Evans passed up a great opportunity at the back post to let off Penybont.

Within a minute of the restart Town were ahead as Harrhy broke free and laid a lovely cross to debutant Hunt who finished with a flourish. The, Town got pushed backwards as Penybont looked to get back into the game. A speculative effort from fully 25 yards bemused Blackburn who could only push it onto the post and the rebound came back into the six yard box for French to grab an equaliser.

Monmouth couldn't quite get a grip on the game through an exciting second half and although they went close on a number of occasions, tired as Penybont seemed more hungry for the win. They duly got it as Alderdice, so often a saviour, came under pressure miscued his clearance and was outnumbered as French grabbed his second.

Town are now ninth but have 10 home games to play at Pen-y-Pound from their remaining 14 fixtures. Can home advantage tell?