MATCH REPORT: PENYBONT 2-2 BRITON FERRY LLANSAWEL (3-4 PENS)
On a damp Wednesday evening Briton Ferry Llansawel travelled to the DragonBet Stadium to face Penybont in a Nathaniel MG Cup clash that proved to be a tightly contested affair.
Bont entered this third-round tie in high spirits after a convincing 6–1 victory away at Trefelin in the previous round. Even so, they knew fellow JD Cymru Premier side Briton Ferry Llansawel weren’t going to make it easy.
The game began with both sides battling for control. But it was Briton Ferry’s Ollie Anderson who opened the scoring, striking from close range to give the visitors the lead. Undeterred, Penybont pushed forward against a strong Ferry defence but couldn’t find an equaliser before half-time.
Shortly after the restart, former Penybont striker Sam Snaith suffered an injury while playing for Ferry. The game was halted for eight minutes before he was stretchered off in the 59th minute. Moments later, Rio Dyer doubled Ferry’s lead with a speculative strike that found the top corner. Penybont were far from pleased, and a triple substitution followed as Chris Venables, Clayton Green and Mael Davies replaced Ioan Phillips, Nathan Wood and Mark Little.
The changes injected fresh energy into the Bont side, with the experienced trio adding composure and attacking intent. Minutes later, Noah Daley rocketed home a lifeline to bring Penybont back into the contest.
With spirits lifted and the Bont Bank urging them on, the hosts pressed forward with growing hunger and confidence. Five minutes later, James Crole showed his skill and composure to slot the ball into the net and level the tie, to the sheer delight of the home supporters.
Captain Kane Owen replaced man-of-the-match Alex Cvetkovic with five minutes left on the clock. As the game reached the 90th minute, the fourth official signalled a minimum of 10 minutes added time. Chances fell at both ends, but neither side could find a decisive breakthrough. As tension mounted and the clock ticked down, the referee’s whistle confirmed the tie would be settled by penalties.
Welsh U21 international goalkeeper Luke Armstrong saved Ferry’s opening spot-kick with a strong hand, but despite emphatic conversions from Venables, Crole and Owen, Bont couldn’t edge through as Gabe Kircough and Mael Davies were unable to convert. Their exit at the third-round stage marked the end of this season’s Nathaniel MG Cup campaign.
Attention now turns to Saturday, when Penybont host Flint Town United in the JD Cymru Premier at the DragonBet Stadium.
Ben Lewis