Match Report: Penybont 0-1 FC Santa Coloma
International Penybont took to the European stage for the third time in four years as Bont welcomed Andorran side, FC Santa Coloma to the Cardiff City Stadium for the first leg of the first qualifying round.
This was the third time Bont have faced Santa Coloma in European having played them across two legs in our first UEFA Conference League outing in 2023, one of which, we drew 0-0 in Andorra.
The game began with a rapid tempo with both sides going head to head to seize control over the tie. The two sides continued scavenging for a way to break down one another up until the 15’ minute when Billy Borge fell injured after falling awkwardly after only his first header of the game.
He was pulled to the touchline for medical attention whilst Bont continued with just 10 men. However, in Billy’s absence, a curling Santa Coloma cross found the head of Guillaume Lopez who bulleted the ball against the post before deflecting into the back of the net.
It was assessed that Billy couldn’t continue and on the 26’ mark, he was substituted off for Owen Pritchard in an effort to find an equaliser. Regardless, no matter how hard Bont knocked on the Santa Coloma door, they simply couldn't break it down and trailed at the break.
Despite a strong first half performance, Chris Venables was substituted off for Ethan Cann who has already slotted three goals this pre-season.
Bont began the second half strongly and only five minutes into the half, found themselves with a free kick in a position of menace. With three new signings; Ryan Hill, Eduino Vaz and Max Melbourne standing over the ball, a set piece play straight from the training ground saw Max Melbourne strike a curling effort that was blocked by a Santa Coloma hand in the penalty area.
The referee, Michele Beltrano imediately pointed to the penalty spot to the delight of the 2000 Bont fans in attendance! With extreme guts and determination, new signings, Ryan Hill, a player who had dictated the flow of the game stood over the ball on his Bont debut.
He took a number of steps back and despite lashing a firm penalty to the bottom left corner, a fully stretched Andre Alcaraz parried the ball away.
This didn’t deter Bont’s determination going and a couple of substitutions, saw Noah Daley and Jac Clay take to the field in an effort to grab an equaliser.
Unfortunately, despite dominance over Santa Coloma, an equaliser will have to wait until next Thursday when Bont travel over to The Estadi Comunal in Andorra as the two sides battle it out for a place in the second round against Rapid Wien.
Ben Lewis ✍️