Bridgend Street 3-1 Monmouth Town: Davison nets two minute brace as Mission show clinical edge

Bridgend Street came from behind to beat Monmouth Town at The Willows this afternoon as they moved closer to the promotion spots in the Welsh League Division Two.

A two-minute salvo in the first half from Nicky Davison cancelled out Leo Ross’ opener and provided the Cardiff side with the victory.

John Jones’ side now sits fourth with 12 games played, whilst Monmouth Town sits firmly in mid-table.

The visitors began the game on the front foot. Monmouth went close to opening the scoring early on. Elliot Ford crossed it into Jack Alderdice and his header strays just wide of the goal.

Street then had the chance to go in front, good work from Mike Murphy saw Owen Bancroft hit a shot at the unsuspecting Scott James who saved with his body.

Street’s Murphy conceded a free-kick on Rory Pettyjohns and this was one of Monmouth’s best efforts.

Jack Alderdice’s shot hit clipped the crossbar and Monmouth were unable to put it in on the rebound as Daniel Spence’s shot was blocked by Craig Dale.

In the 22nd minute, Nicky Morgan’s men opened the scoring after a good spell of pressure. Despite the attempted block from defender Craig Dale, Leo Ross tucked it underneath the body of Damien Lack to provide the games with its opening goal.

Ford had the chance to double Monmouth’s lead but he blazed his effort over the bar.  Pettyjohns followed up that shot with a  good chance for the Kingfishers as he made the most of a Dale slip.  Lack was alert as the Monmouth winger attempted a curling effort at goal before Ashley Ford blazed the rebound over the bar.

Craig Dale made amends for his earlier error as he blocked Elliot Ford’s rebounded effort after Lack fumbled Ashley Ford’s curling effort.

The block proved vital for Street as moments later they drew level. A ball was played to Nicky Davison on the far side and he drilled his effort past James to level proceedings.

Not long after drawing level, Street changed the complexion of the game by going in front. Davison was on target again as a superb ball over the top from Murphy found Davison and he rounded the keeper to poke it home for his second goal of the game.

That was the last action of the first half as Bridgend Street celebrated an unlikely lead given the events of the first half.

Jack Alderdice tried to draw Monmouth level early on in the second half but his curling effort went the other side of the post.

Street furthered their lead as Monmouth failed to draw level. A simple route one goal where Lack kicked it over the top to White, saw the Street front-man round James, similar to the second goal and roll it into the empty net.

Murphy was eager for a goal in this game for Street but Luke Cleaves did enough to block his curling shot at James’ goal as the Monmouth keeper retrieved the ball to stop Davison from scoring a hat-trick.

Another chance followed for Street. Richard Noyes crossed it in to Owen Bancroft but his header skewered wide of the goal.

Monmouth did have a spell of pressure where they continued to pepper the Street goal as the home sides defence continued to back off.

Pettyjohns had a direct cross palmed away by Lack as Monmouth attempted all routes at goal. Substitute Sam Oxley almost made an impact as he crossed it to earlier goalscorer Ross but the Street goalkeeper made a superb diving save. Monmouth did score on the rebound but Ashley Ford was judged too have been offside.

Namesake Elliot tested Lack through a sea of bodies but his deflected shot was saved by the home sides goalkeeper. Goalscorer Ross was played in from the Monmouth midfield but his attempted chip sailed wide of the goal.

In the last action of the game, Ross missed another opportunity. After a good ball from Ash Ford, Ross poked his effort wide of the goal, meaning there was no late fightback from the away side.

Bridgend Street

Lack, Noyes, Dale, Angove, Nessbert, Bancroft, Murphy (Jones 83) , Fowler (C), White, Davison (McDonagh 90), Carro.

Monmouth Town

James (C), Davies, Cleaves, Lewis, Spence, Jones, Pettyjohns, Alderdice, Ross, A.Ford, E.Ford

(Featured Image: Will Cheshire)