So honours even after the second Monmouthshire derby in a week as another fine strike by Nick Harry and a superb winner from man of the match Chris Ham earned the points for Monmouth. In Monmouth's first-ever home game under lights, quite how they ended with a clean sheet or indeed got to half time without conceding at least three goals is a mystery. An early onslaught by the Plough Road gang could and possibly should have wrapped the game up after 20 minutes with Goytre strikers guilty of glaring misses while Blackburn was a very unusual calm influence as mayhem swirled around him. But the Kingfishers also threatened, with Ham taking the game to Goytre and Bull working hard for a couple of chances. Town's midfield were largely bypassed but when they did get scraps they made some good use of it. A tactical switch by Smith evened things up in the centre of the park and Town inched their way back into the game and started to find their feet on a new home ground, suddenly realising that the big green bits out wide were actually still in the field of play. Ham was a handful whenever he got into the game and Alderdice started to boss a backline missing the bed-ridden Danny Clare. The second half got off to a great start for the Kingfishers and after just five minutes a great through ball set up the on-fire Nick Harrhy, whose strike beat the 'keeper for pace for his fourth in two games. It wasn't all plain sailing as a number of Goytre strikes went close but cue Chris Ham (main picture). Receiving the ball wide on the left, he cut inside three defenders and struck a superb shot into the top corner. Monmouth showed great maturity to take the tempo out of game unless it was to release Ham, who gave his markers a torrid time. Former Newport County player Nathan Davies was dismissed for dissent after 70 minutes and it was pretty much game over from there. Another Harrhy strike was blocked and Ford added a bit more menace coming on late in the half but Town saw the game out comfortably enough to move to fifth in the table and above their county rivals. As good as the win was against Goytre this was a much more scrappy affair with visitors Garden Village the better side for long periods as Town struggled to get any fluency in their game. Before the game they were dealt a blow as Harrhy failed to recover from a hip injury and the returning Dan MacDonald not eligible following his transfer from Merthyr. It meant midfield schemer Eliot Evans replaced Harrhy in attack, which possibly denied the Kingfishers creativity and certainly blunted an attack that was looking more dangerous by the game. Village almost drew first blood in the opening minutes when a quick counter ended with an effort that skimmed the post with Blackburn beaten. Again Blackburn was the busier of the two 'keepers throughout although not really having to stretch himself, but he did do the basics very well as usual. Alderdice looked comfortable at the back while Ham again looked lively and dangerous. The introduction of Elliot Ford late on gave some added impetus and a late solo effort by Ham drew a fine stop from the Gowerton sides keeper. That apart Monmouth may be happier with the point given a lack lustre performance which will have to improve if they are to maintain any serious challenge. They continue their challenge with a visit to Afan Lido next Saturday (6th) hoping to get something from a visit to the team relegated from the Welsh Premier last season. Both games were sponsored by Ladbroke's.

Pictures courtesy of Steve Hughes