Mael Davies and Mike Hayes both scored from range on their respective debuts for Penybont and Caernarfon as the sides drew 1-1 at The Oval.
Davies, who joined the Bont from Cardiff Metropolitan, struck a sweet effort to give Rhys Griffiths’ side the lead with 15 minutes to play, but Hayes, who arrived from Bala during the window, found the bottom left corner from the edge of the area to secure his new team a point.In a first-half where chances were few and far between, both teams improved in attack after the break.
Penybont had an early call for a penalty as midfielder Davies was brought down in the box. The referee decided there wasn’t enough in it and waved away the visitors’ protests.
A goal-mouth scramble in the 11th minute saw Darren Thomas and Hayes denied with two fantastic saves from goalkeeper Ashley Morris.
The first half saw an injury-crisis for the Canaries, who were forced to bring both Iddon Price and Jack Fleming on before the 26th minute.
New signing Paulo Mendes impressed on his Caernarfon debut, as his quick feet in midfield allowed him to make space for himself to pick out his passes.
Penybont constructed a move straight from the training ground which almost lead to a goal-scoring opportunity when captain Kane Owen played Nathan Wood through, but his cross was blocked before it could cause danger.
Danny Brookwell almost gifted the visitors a goal towards the end of the first-half as his weak back pass put goalkeeper Josh Tibbetts under pressure. The composed stopper fell to the ground and controlled the ball with his chest before clearing his lines under pressure.
MAEL DAVIES! 🚀 ⚽
— ⚽ Sgorio (@sgorio) September 12, 2020
Caernarfon 1-1 @penybontFC_#JDCymruPremier 🏴 pic.twitter.com/bZ31qBy34l
The visitors came close early in the second half as debutant striker Ben Ahmun was found by a cross from the right-hand side. Tibbetts reacted well again as he came off his line to save the shot, keeping the game level.
Hayes’ energy helped Caernarfon throughout the game, with his runs in behind Penybont’s defence causing issues for the south Walian side.
Griffiths’ men came close again just after the hour mark. Ashley Evans flicked on an attempt from Wood which almost deceived Tibbetts. Again, the goalkeeper reacted well to save.
Caernarfon were next to come close as captain Joseph Williams came forward from right-back only for his shot to fly wide of the post.
Penybont broke the deadlock with a quarter of an hour left on the clock when Davies’ shot from range got the better of Tibbetts as it flew into the corner of the net.
MIKE HAYES! ⚽🔥
— ⚽ Sgorio (@sgorio) September 12, 2020
Hayes yn sgorio ei gôl gyntaf ar ei ymddangosiad cyntaf i Caernarfon, ac am gôl!
Hayes’ first goal on his first appearance for @CaernarfonTown!
FT | Caernarfon 1-1 Pen-y-bont#JDCymruPremier pic.twitter.com/cvGriytX6o
New signing Hayes, who continued his high energy effort until the final whistle, was awarded for his efforts just seven minutes later as his shot from the edge of the box found the bottom left corner to equalise for Huw Griffiths’ side.
Caernarfon continued to apply pressure as they searched for a late winner, and they had a strong penalty shout when Thomas was seemingly brought down in the box.The referee decided the tackle didn’t warrant a penalty.
In the 87th minute we saw midfielder Noah Edwards come close for the Cofis. His dribbling allowed him to get a shot off in the box as he aimed for the near post. Penybont defender Oliver Dalton did well to recover and block the shot.
Caernarfon came close to a winner again as Thomas was found free in the box from a Sion Bradley corner. His header was saved at ease.
Caernarfon Town: Joshua Tibbetts (GK), Joseph Williams (C), Jack Fleming (Leonard Asa Hamilton (26′), Sion Bradley, Paulo Mendes, Mike Hayes, Darren Thomas, Daniel Brookwell (Louis Augustin Malanjou Kondjo 77′), Noah Edwards, Iddon Lloyd Price (Gruffydd John 16′), Ryan Williams.
Goals: Mike Hayes 82′
Yellow Cards: Darren Thomas 18, Joe Williams 44, Noah Edwards 67, Danny Brookwell 72.
Penybont: Ashley Morris (GK), Kane Owen (C), Ashley Evans, Daniel Jefferies, Mael Davies, Lewis Harling, Benjamin Ahmun (Samuel Snaith (67′), Nathaniel Wood, Oliver James Dalton, Matthew Harris (Kostya Georgievsky 60′), Connor Davies
Goals – Mael Davies 75′
Yellow Cards: Ashley Evans 21, Lewis Harling 69
(Featured Image: Paul Evans)
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