MATCH REPORT: PENYBONT 0-1 CONNAH’S QUAY NOMADS

On a rainy Saturday afternoon, Connah’s Quay Nomads made the trip down to the DragonBet Stadium to take on Penybont. It proved to be a feisty JD Cymru Premier affair, with a total of 11 yellow cards issued — just two short of a league record.

Starting the day in second place, Penybont came into the clash full of confidence after a comfortable 2-0 victory over Llanelli Town the previous Monday. However, Bont knew that a strong Nomads side would not make things easy. The game began at a slow tempo, and after half an hour it remained goalless. Late in the first half, Connah’s Quay snuffed out a promising Bont attack, and the sides went in at the break on level terms.

The rain continued to fall as the referee restarted play, and almost immediately Noah Daley went close with a strike that went narrowly wide. Soon after, a clever Nathan Wood volley from outside the penalty area was blocked by the Nomads defence. In the 65th minute, Billy Borge and Gabe Kircough threw their bodies in the way to deny a Connah’s Quay attack. The game remained end-to-end until the 78th minute, when Rhys Hughes put the Nomads ahead with an audacious effort.

Three late substitutions weren’t enough to level the game, despite Bont’s best efforts, and Connah’s Quay left with all three points. Despite the disappointing outcome, other results went in Bont’s favour, meaning they retain second place. Next up, Penybont travel north to face Bala Town on Saturday.

Ben Lewis