The Kingfishers’ break from league action was not without its drama, but the scoreline reflected Monmouth’s dominance as they remained largely untroubled by the hosts.

It was a relatively slow start in sunny Cwmbran, with the home side first to threaten. After winning the ball back in the middle of the park, it was played to Chris Cooke, but his forward run was intercepted by Lewis Lloyd before goalkeeper Jack Harris claimed possession.

Moments later, Harris was forced into action again after a great run down the wing from Jan Peerce allowed him to get a shot away, which the Kingfishers’ goalkeeper deflected behind for a corner.

Town soon found their momentum and were rewarded in the 22nd minute following a set-piece from Mitchell Palmer. After young Jack Hanks won a free-kick on the wing, Palmer’s delivery sailed over everyone in the box and landed perfectly in the top corner of the hosts’ net to open the scoring.

However, it was not all plain sailing for Monmouth, with Kingfishers forward Taylor Street shown a red card for dissent just half an hour into the game, providing an unwanted challenge for the travelling side.

Despite creating several more threatening chances, Monmouth went into the break with a one-goal advantage before establishing a much more comfortable lead in the second half.

It did not take long for Brad Phillips to extend his side’s advantage after the restart. Hanks held the ball up well out wide before finding his teammate in the box. Phillips dribbled past his opponent before slotting the ball into the net to make it 2-0.

In the 66th minute, the Kingfishers capitalised on another set-piece, with Rob Laurie heading home from a corner. Palmer provided the assist, delivering the ball perfectly into the path of Monmouth’s experienced defender.

The fourth goal arrived in the 84th minute when Jake Lavis scored his first goal for Monmouth since signing for the club in recent weeks. Tarren Evans initially had an attempt at goal, with Lavis on hand to make sure the ball found the net.

Debutant Evans then got on the scoresheet himself just a few minutes later. Young Ioan Thomas, also making his debut, found Palmer on the wing, whose cross was played perfectly into Evans’ path as he grabbed a well-deserved goal in the closing moments.

The Kingfishers now await their opponents in the next round of the cup, with a place in the semi-finals up for grabs.

Elsewhere, the reserves came from behind to claim local derby bragging rights against Rockfield Rovers. Despite falling behind shortly after the second half got underway, goals from Ollie Brownridge and Ollie Moss secured the win for the seconds.

The youth team recorded a strong home win the following day against Croesyceiliog Youth, winning 5-3 at the Sports Ground. Meanwhile, the women’s team began their Division Four campaign with a 4-0 defeat away to Wattsville Ladies.

This weekend, the first team return to the Monmouth Sports Ground to face Wattsville in Gwent Premier League action. The reserves travel to Sudbrook for their East Gwent Division One fixture.

On Sunday, the women’s team are in cup action as they host Nantyglo Women in the second round of the Hugh James SWFA Women’s Cup. The youth team, meanwhile, travel to face Ponthir Youth in a league fixture.