Brecon Corries bounced back following their loss to Newport City to record a hard-earned 2-3 victory over Monmouth Town on Saturday afternoon in the Ardal South East.

Corries had to come from behind twice at the Chippenham Sports Ground, to secure a much-needed three points and gain a second away league win of the campaign.

Report by Stuart Townsend:

It was the Kingfishers who forged ahead in only the second minute when Luke Firkin drilled in a low cross from the right and Iwan Mooney was on hand to convert the opportunity past Declan Gaydon from close range.

The visitors looked to respond immediately as former Merthyr Saints front man Nathan Williams saw a shot on the turn blocked by a home defender in the 10th minute before Corey Evans volleyed over at the far post just a minute later from Jordan Baker’s deep cross on the right.

Brecon Corries skipper Dale Evans saw his 30 yard pile-driver of a 24th minute free-kick deflected behind for a corner and Joel Evans saw his far post header blocked at the ensuing set-piece.

Monmouth Town came close to doubling their advantage two minutes later but Joe Beckett fired his effort wide of the far post from a Lewis Davies cross on the right.

However, the Rich Field men were back on level terms in the 27th minute when Craig Evans cut in from the left and his low drive from just outside the penalty area took a deflection and beat Daniel Keane in the Kingfishers’ goal at his near post.

The Corries goalscorer nearly had a second just four minutes later, after linking up well with Dale and Joel Evans outside of the host’s penalty area, but saw his fierce drive parried to safety by Keane. Monmouth Town regained the lead, however, after 33 minutes with a goal that was similar to their opening effort as a Lewis Davies pull-back from the byline was forced home at the near post by Joe Beckett. Once again, the visitors attempted to strike back immediately as Baker was unable to keep his diving header on target from a corner within a minute of the restart before Craig Evans drove towards the home penalty area in the final minute of the half but could only direct his low shot straight at Keane.

Brecon Corries came close to equalising within the opening minute of the restart when Craig Evans headed wide of the far post from Auston Mellor’s inviting cross on the right. Monmouth Town came out of the changing rooms looking to extend their advantage as Liam O’Callaghan’s 50th minute effort from the edge of the penalty area was deflected behind and substitute Shemar Parkes headed wide of goal from the subsequent corner.

The Kingfishers suffered a significant blow two minutes later when Ashley Ford had to leave the field of play following a serious leg injury and later had an operation for a fracture. The visitors equalised for the second time in the match when captain Dale Evans rifled a 25 yard free-kick into the top corner of the net after 68 minutes.

The hosts suffered a further blow just four minutes later when brother Joel Evans headed home a cross from the right flank at the far postto put the Corries into the lead for the first time. The shocked Kingfishers searched for an equalising goal of their own in the closing stages as Davies cut in from the right but drove his effort over Gaydon’s crossbar in the 76th minute before the Corries custodian came smartly off his line two minutes later to deny Firkin.

Emrys Morgan Cup final hero Mellor was played in on goal by Joel Evans five minutes later but denied by Keane.

Gaydon had to be alert to turn Firkin’s 83rd minute close range behind his near post before Monmouth Town were awarded an indirect free-kick six minutes later when Gaydon was deemed to have handled a backpass. However, veteran substitute Rob Laurie could only fire his effort into the defensive wall from six yards out before Beckett lifted the Kingfishers’ final effort over the crossbar deep into stoppage time as the Corries returned home with only their second away league win of the campaign.