Pontypridd Town 0-3 Penybont: Penybont are Christmas Number One in Welsh League following clinical victory

Penybont furthered their lead at the top with victory over Pontypridd to ensure they would be top at Christmas.

A brace from Luke Borrelli and a penalty from Kane Owen sent Rhys Griffiths’ side on their way as they beat the lowly Dragons. They’re now eleven games undefeated in Divisoon One.

All the damage was done in the first half as the Bridgend side scored all three goals in the first 45 minutes.

Penybont now have a five point gap over nearest-placed Afan Lido with three games in hand.

Pontypridd’s Gavin Beddard had the first chance of the game as he took the ball down and fired a shot at Rhys Wilson.

The visitors were looking the sharper of the two sides going forward, with a structured attack. James Saddler was showing composure in the centre of the park as he tried to get Curtis Hutson into the game.

Pontypridd almost opened the scoring in fortuitous fashion. Auden Lewis thought his pass was too powerful but the bounce fell to Jack Fox who tried to lift it over Rhys Wilson, but the Bont keeper collected in time to avoid it crossing the line.

The visitors took the lead not long after their scare. Cullen Kinsella was found in space on the flank and his well-delivered cross found Luke Borrelli who scored with a point-blank header with Burnett unable to keep it out.

The lead was almost doubled through Kane Owen. Saddler patiently waited to loft the ball to Kane Owen, but the Penybont full-back’s effort went just over the bar.

The Penybont attacks continued and they rattled the post. Owen played a simple through ball to Cullen Kinsella. Kinsella cut inside but his curled effort hit the post.

Penybont did double their advantage and it came from the spot. Zac Iheanacho attempted to block Borrelli’s effort at goal but caught the forward in the process. Kane Owen stepped forward and drilled a low penalty past Burnett who guesses the right way to provide a two goal cushion.

It was almost three and it was something out of nothing. James Saddler attempted a long-range effort from just over the halfway line, going agonisingly wide.

Penybont had their third and this was a goal off the training ground. Tom Farmer fouled Curtis Hutson for a free-kick. Owen opted to pass rather than shoot to Marcus Griffiths and he teed up Luke Borrelli for his second goal of the game, scoring from close range.

Pontypridd had a rare chance towards the end of the first half. Dean Clifford who started in the place of the absent Luke Gullick beat the offside and had just the keeper to beat, but Rhys Wilson made a superb save as he tipped Clifford’s effort round the post.

Jack Fox then tested Wilson with a free-kick, before Clifford was unable to pounce on an under-hit back-pass from Owain Warlow as Wilson preserved his clean sheet in what was the last action of the half.

Clifford was presented with a similar chance in the first half. Lewis played the ball through to the forward but his half-volley went the other side of the goal.

Lee Baldock then lined-up a free-kick but it went hopelessly over the bar.

Borrelli had the chance for his hat-trick with ten minutes to go having cut in on the far side but it went narrowly wide of the goal.

Cullen Kinsella then nearly got on the scoring act as he tried to sneak his shot into the corner of the goal but Burnett was alert to the effort.

Penybont kept their clean sheet intact and recorded a comprehensive victory over the Dragons.

(Featured image: Darren Griffiths)