Match Report: Penybont VS Caernarfon
Heavy rain clouds drew over the skies of Bridgend, casting a shadow over the DragonBet Stadium as Penybont prepared to face Caernarfon in a spirited top of the table encounter. Despite the dull weather, the Bont boys in blue entered the pitch fuelled with passion and resolve!
Rain tore down, unleashing its full force into the DragonBet’s artificial surface as kickoff got underway. Almost instantly, Penybont heisted control over a stunned Caernarfon side and charged forward. The ball was spread with ease from one side of the pitch to another until it landed at the hungry feet of Owen Pritchard who unleashed a powerful strike from just outside of the penalty area that tickled the crossbar as it glided overhead, as if tantalising an opener! Bont continued asserting dominance over their North Wales visitors as Ioan Phillips cleverly won a free kick just outside of the penalty area in a position of menace! The ball floated in and after a violent scramble in the penalty area, Jac Clay struck a sweet volley that went narrowly wide of the post. Only a minute later, a dipping Clayton Green effort fell a few metres too far over the crossbar! As Bont’s control grew, their frustrations started to get the better of them. Caernarfon seized this opportunity to test Luke Armstrong but failed to provide as he tipped the ball over the bar in what would be described as ‘An Acrobatic Armstrong Special’! From there, neither side continued to dominate the first half and the referee’s whistle marked the end of a certainly ‘Bont-sided’, yet scrappy first half of football!
At the break, Ash Baker replaced Clayton Green in an effort to add Ash’s top level experience to the fixture. As the game got back underway, once again, a curling Mael Davies cross was delivered into the penalty area before drifting out of play for a Caernarfon goal kick! Play was momentarily paused due to a collision between players from both sides, so Rhys Griffiths seized this opportunity to further instruct his players in a team huddle on the halfway line! Bont made second and third substitutions as debutant, Nat Williams and club captain, Kane Owen were replaced by Joe Woodiwiss and Owain Warlow. The next chance of the game went the way of the visitors as Gosset flew a low driven effort well wide of the Bont woodwork. A final Bont substitution was completed as Ioan Phillips was replaced by Jacob Jones. However, only minutes later, Bont MOTM, Jac Clay conceded possession in an area of sincere danger, pulling the Caernarfon forward into a one-on-one situation with Luke Armstrong! Fortunately, the ball was chipped into the side netting and out of play for a goal kick, but not without providing Jac and the entire home support with a moment of genuine fear! The referee’s whistle concluded the game and saw the two strong sides share the points.
The final result ended Penybont 0-0 Caernarfon seeing both sides remain in 3rd and 4th respectively. Next up: Bont travel up north for another top of the table clash with current League leaders, TNS!
Penybont MOTM: Jac Clay
Penybont XI:
Armstrong; Owen (C), Williams, Davies, Wood, Pritchard, Daley, Phillips, Clay, Borge, Green
Caernarfon XI:
Roberts; Jones, Mooney, Mendes, Gosset, Davies, Young, Bradley, Lock, Harrison, Sears
Match Officials:
Aaron Wyn Jones, Martin Roberts, Jordan Christopher, Alex Mcinch, Edward King
Ben Lewis ✍🏼