Dane Williams: Win for Penybont on Saturday would secure title
Penybont beat Briton Ferry & Llansawel 2-0 in Welsh Football League Division One at Bryntirion Park.
Dane Williams, manager of Penybont’s title rivals Cambrian & Clydach Vale, says a win for Saturday’s opponents would secure the league title for the Bridgend club.
Rhys Griffiths takes his Penybont side to the M&P Group 3G this Saturday as the top two in the Welsh League go head to head.
Penybont hold a nine-point gap over Cambrian, as well as two games in hand in their quest for the Division One title.
The Cambrian manager gave credit to Penybont for their performances this season: “Penybont are a very good team. They sit comfortably at the top of the table and deservedly so.
“Truth be told a win for them secures the league although it would take something dramatic for anything other than Penybont to be crowned Champions.
“I’m just hoping we can make they work a little harder for it.”
Cambrian this season have been on two tremendous Cup runs. Firstly losing to Cardiff Met in the Nathaniel MG Cup Final after knocking out four Welsh Premier League clubs.
They also reached the Quarter-Finals of the JD Welsh Cup for the first time, narrowly losing to Barry Town United.
But this game could be the biggest in regards to their league success. Cambrian are chasing a first league title in seven years.
Both sides go into the game on a Cambrian’s last defeat in the league came at the KYMCO Stadium early in September. Penybont themselves have yet to lose in the Division this season, highlighting how close affair it could be on Saturday.
“It’s a massive game at this point of the season and following the success of the cups, it’s nice to have a big game towards the back end of the season that we are looking forward to.
“As always with big games, there is going to be small margins that swing the game. Both teams will be keen to not make mistakes and make the most of their opportunities.”
In the opposition dugout in Tonypandy this weekend is Welsh Premier League legend Rhys Griffiths.
Griffiths was top scorer in the Welsh top flight for seven years in a row.
He has since moved into management with Penybont and has undertaken a UEFA Pro Licence course.
Cambrian boss Dane Williams has put praise onto his opposition manager: “Rhys was a very successful player and he’s taken them into management and is doing a cracking job.
“People will talk about budgets and players at his disposal but managing a team and doing what he deserves the respect.”
(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)
