Match report: Penybont 2-0 Haverfordwest
A historic victory at the DragonBet Stadium for Penybont occurred in the most unlikely of circumstances for the Bridgend boys in blue. Following a remarkable penalty shootout win away at high-flying Colwyn Bay to mark Bont’s first victory since New Year's Day, Penybont came into this highly sought-after fixture with Europa Conference League Playoff Qualification on the cards.
Haverfordwest came into this game with only four losses in their last 19 games and finished top of group two so Bont knew that this was not going to be an easy test.
Penybont opened the game on the front foot and with 1,200 supporters in attendance, on the ten-minute mark, Cymru Premier legend and Bont number nine, Chris Venables powered home a crucial opener to the Penybont faithful's delight.
Penybont showed no signs of relenting and on the hour mark, skipper on the day, Meal Davies curled a taunting strike beyond a confused Haverfordwest defence to ripple the net.
As the team celebrated wildly by the corner flag, a special feeling now embraced the DragonBet. A feeling that had been felt twice before already. A European feeling. The final half an hour passed like a breeze with Bont in total control and as the referee blew for full time, supporters flooded the pitch in delight.
Blue flares lit up the Bridgend sky and the roars of ecstasy could be heard all across Bridgend like a victory call. The Bont were back. International Penybont.
The game began with a very ‘bont-sided’ tempo as the Blues pushed forward for an early opener. Despite the rain hurling itself down onto the players, it appeared to make no impact on the quality of football.
Early lead
As Bont built their way out from the back, a Nathan Wood cross found the head of Penybont captain, Mael Davies who nodded it forward to Ethan Cann who continued the chain as he headed a through ball into the path of the prolific Chris Venables.
Venners held off his man with his high-quality strength and made no mistake in rocketing the ball beyond Ifan Knott in the Haverfordwest goal to open the scoring. The goal marked Venables’ third of the campaign and a first Bont assist for January signing, Cann.
Bont continue the offensive
Penybont continued this front footed approach as yet another Venables opportunity presented itself off a Nathan Wood cross before the Bont number nine headed his effort narrowly over the crossbar.
As if a doubler couldn’t get any more taunting for Bont, Owen Pritchard found himself in an area of genuine menace, directly outside the six yard box. The number 8 swung a curling effort around his defender but onto the woodwork and out for a goal kick.
Bont were forced into an early change on the 45th minute mark as Alex Cvetkovic was replaced by Clayton Green due to an injury and with that, Penybont sailed into the break with the advantage.
Second half
A second substitution was made by Rhys Griffiths on the hour mark as Jacob Jones replaced Ash Baker, a defensive substitution that would strengthen the Penybont back line.
Regardless of this defensive change, a carefully directed Owen Pritchard free kick found the feet of Mael Davies who curled a precise shot over the diving head of Jac Clay and into the net to double Bont’s lead.
By now, the Penybont faithful were confident in their team’s ability to see out the final and so with flares and drums to hand, their appreciation was shown to Chris Venables with ten minutes to go as he was replaced by Noah Daley.
Full time
This proved to be enough for Bont and as the referee signalled full time, a sea of blue invaded the DragonBet Stadium’s artificial surface and leapt on their heroes in sheer ecstasy!
As both players and fans shared their excitement about a European adventure, it was time for the trophy lift…
And so as the squad gathered on the podium, captains Kane Owen and Mael Davies side by side raised the Playoff champion trophy above their heads in delight! As everyone involved celebrated as a unit, the reality began to settle. Bont were European!