Penybont’s much-improved second-half performance secured a crucial win over Aberystwyth Town.
Lewis Harling’s 77th minute header broke the deadlock and sealed the Bont’s first win of Phase Two.
Rhys Griffiths’ side climb out of the JD Cymru Premier relegation zone and now lead Carmarthen Town by three points, and Airbus UK Broughton by five.
The Bont were good value for their win, and thoroughly deserved to go ahead after a spell of numerous chances mid-way through the second half.
The game started slowly with neither side creating any clear-cut chances in the opening 15 minutes.
Penybont’s Owain Warlow grew into the game and was Penybont’s biggest threat.
Warlow, operating on the left, found space to cross in the 16th minute, but his delivery evaded striker Elijah Phipps.
A January signing for the Seasiders, Alhagi Touray Sisay had a sighter, as he found space on the left, cut inside and curled an effort into the arms of Ashley Morris.
With both defences looking comfortable, Penybont were reduced to efforts from range, with Lewis Harling trying his luck.
The midfielder curled his effort wide of the mark, but Alex Pennock, deputising for the suspended Connor Roberts, looked to have Harling’s strike covered.
Aberystwyth had the ball in the net in the 35th minute, when captain Marc Williams raced through on goal and chipped the ball over Ashley Morris, only for the offside flag to rule out the effort.
Marc Williams was again involved as Aberystwyth went closest to breaking the deadlock, as he played Alhagi Touray Sisay through on the left flank.
The striker, who netted a hat-trick in the 5-3 win over Airbus UK Broughton, cut inside and blazed over with the goal in sight.
Penybont broke at every opportunity, with Nathan Wood driving down the right, only for Pedro Vaz to cut out the danger in what was a good defensive performance from both sides in the first half.
The start of the second half followed much of the same pattern as the first, with neither side creating clear-cut opportunities.
With an hour played, Penybont took control of proceedings and applied pressure on the Seasiders in a spell of numerous chances.
Michael George went close to breaking the deadlock, as he was played through on the right, but fired wide after beating the offside trap.
Kane Owen was then inches away for Penybont with a free-kick, as Alex Pennock was beaten to his left, but the Penybont captain put his effort past the the post.
Aberystwyth defender Lee Jenkins almost gifted the visitors the lead in the 67th minute, as he played the ball across his own box.
With the defence stretched, Owain Warlow fired an effort over in a glorious chance for Penybont.
Seasiders’ captain Marc Williams had a rare second half chance for Matthew Bishop’s men, as he tried to catch Ashley Morris off his line, only to put his effort agonisingly wide with Ashley Morris beaten.
The deadlock was broken in the 77th minute as midfield general Lewis Harling found himself free in the box to bury a header into the bottom corner, past the diving Alex Pennock.
Despite Aberystwyth’s efforts to find an equalizer, Rhys Griffiths’ Penybont saw the game out comfortably for a crucial three points.
Come the end of the season, the Bont may look back at tonight’s result as a crucial night in the JD Cymru Premier’s relegation dogfight.
Aberystwyth Town: Alex Pennock, Wes Baynes, Lee Jenkins, Luke Boundford, Pedro Vaz (Mathew Jones 45’) Paulo Mendes, James Rowland, Geoff Kellaway (Aaron Pomeyie 45’) Marc Williams, Adam Davies (David Thompson 62’)
Penybont: Ashley Morris, Kane Owen, Oliver Dalton, Daniel Jefferies, Matthew Harris, Owain Warlow (Kostya Georgievsky 75’) Lewis Harling, Ashley Evans, Michael George, Nathan Wood (Rhys Griffiths 85’) Elijah Phipps (Daniel Griffiths 62’)
Goals: Lewis Harling 77′
You can find out how Penybont claimed a crucial victory with our live blog below:
(Featured Image: Colin Ewart/Lewis Mitchell)
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