March 29, 2024

Y Clwb Pêl-droed

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Ely Rangers 1-3 Penydarren BGC: Pen crowned Champions after beating lowly Ely

(Image: Ethan Harris)

Penydarren claimed the Division Three title after negotiating past relegation-threatened Ely Rangers.

Connor Keating and Sam Gamble scored in the first half before Alex Long made certain of the victory in the second half. Sam Price scored a consolation goal for Ely.

Penydarren controlled the first forty-five minutes but were error prone in the second half, allowing Ely a number of spells to get back into the game.

Regular goalkeeper Stephen Price and reliable forward Christopher Colvin-Owens was absent for Penydarren.

Connor Keating shaked off any early nerves as he composedly finished past Ali Johnson from close range.

Alex Long almost made it two after his lobbed effort went just over the bar. 

The visitors continued to make it hard for Ely as they penned them into their own half. 

Adam Lewis went close for Penydarren after forcing Johnson to stress following an untracked run into the box. 

Penydarren’s advantage was doubled through Sam Gamble just before the half our mark. Alex Long squared the ball across goal for Gamble to strike from from yards out.

Matt Yates almost clawed a goal back but his flicked effort was saved by deputy goalkeeper Jonathan Green. 

Joshua Brogden struck a shot into the side netting in the final action of the half.

Rangers goalkeeper Ali Johnson made a great save to deny Penydarren skipper Alex Lloyd’s well-hit free-kick.

The Cardiff side were enjoying more of the ball in the second half and looked better going forward.

Penydarren players celebrate
(Image: Ethan Harris)

Alex Long made sure of the victory after he guided his header past Johnson from an Adam Lewis cross. 

Long almost assessed Penydarren’s dominance even more but his sailing effort was saved by the goalkeeper. 

In the final quarter, Rangers got their goal after their better efforts in the second half. Callum Flynn made Sam Price’s work easy with a good pass and Price delivered with a goal from yards out.

Price sought a second goal to attempt a grandstand finish but his curling effort sailed over.

He then played in Kieran Keane who hit the post from a tight angle with Penydarren aware of the late Rangers push. 

The last action saw Callum Flynn send a shot over the bar despite having more time to shoot. 

Penydarren were able to hold out for the victory needed for the league title and celebrated at Station Road.

The Merthyr Tydfil based side have now won two consecutive league titles and promotions, following today’s victory.

They could now complete a League and Cup double in their first Welsh League season with a Cup final to look forward to next Friday against Ynysygerwn.

For Ely Rangers, they complete their season with a defeat and will now be hopeful that Albion Rovers don’t claim a victory over Ynysygerwn.

Ely Rangers: Johnson, Sparkes, Bryant (Keane 34), Chappell, A.Griffiths, D.Griffiths, S.Price, Yates, Flynn, Harri (Caveney 73) R.Price

Penydarren BGC: Green, Pike (Reynolds 63) Gamble, Alex Lloyd (C), Gibbons, Lewis, Kinsey, Asa Lloyd (Williams 81), Brogden, Long, Keating (Martin 60)

(Featured Image: Ethan Harris)

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