Penybont 1-1 Aberystwyth Town: Bont forced to settle for point against 10-man Aberystwyth
Penybont continue their unbeaten start to the Cymru Premier season with a 1-1 draw with Aberystwyth Town at the SDM Glass Stadium.
Rhys Griffiths’ side went ahead through a superb long-range effort by Nathan Wood, only for Louis Bradford to equalise for the Seasiders early in the second half.
The Bont had chances to win the game, especially once Aberystwyth Town midfielder Mathew Jones was sent off in the second half.
The Seasiders were dealt a blow before kick off as summer signing Sam Barnes pulled up in the warm up and was replaced by Jack Rimmer.
Gavin Allen’s side did start brightly however, as Gwion Owen’s third minute volley over the bar saw the first chance of the game fall to the visitors.
New signings Jamie Veale and Rhys Davies then combined to set the latter free to cross from the left. Striker Steff Davies directed a header goalwards, but the Bont defence cleared their lines.
Rhys Griffiths’ side then grew into the game, as Kostya Georgievsky combined well on the right with Connor Davies to make space to deliver into the Seasiders’ box.
A mix-up at the back for Aberystwyth Town led to the lively Nathan Wood picking the ball up in space.
Wood, who impressed in the Cymru Premier last season, fired a superb effort from distance past Alex Pennock in the Aberystwyth Town goal to give the home side the lead in the 18th minute.
With the Bont players’ tails up, Kostya Georgievsky was then found in space on the right to fire a powerful effort just over the bar.
Despite Penybont putting pressure on the away side, the ball was given away to Aberystwyth Town striker Steff Davies, who drove at the Bont defence, before having a shot blocked.
Penybont had a glorious opportunity to double their lead in the 33rd minute, as the goalscorer Nathan Wood ball raced through on goal following a ball over the top.
With only Alex Pennock to beat, Wood fired wide, squandering a chance to leave Aberystwyth with a mountain to climb.
In a lively affair between the two sides, the first yellow card of the game went to on-loan defender Louis Bradford, after a heavy challenge on Kostya Georgievsky.
From the resulting free-kick, the ball was headed out to Penybont midfielder Ashley Evans, who fired a powerful strike towards goal, only for the Aberystwyth defence to block his goal-bound effort.
The first-half ended in controversy, as Jonathan Evans went down after a collision in the air with Penybont goalkeeper Ashley Morris, sparking huge appeals from the away side. Despite the Seasiders’ protests, nothing was given by the referee.
Gavin Allen’s half-time team-talk clearly had its intended effect as Aberystwyth Town came out of the blocks very quickly in the second half.
A corner into the Penybont box led to a goal-mouth scramble and defender Louis Bradford, on loan from The New Saints, was on hand to hook the ball past Ashley Morris and equalise for Aberystwyth in the 46th minute.
The Seasiders went close to taking the lead soon after, as a cross from the right was met by striker Steff Davies, but the target-man’s header was just wide of the post.
Much like in the first period, the Bont grew into the game after the opening ten minutes of the half.
A corner from the right came out to Mael Davies, whose driven effort was saved superbly by Alex Pennock in the Aberystwyth Town goal.
As both sides chased a winner, chances continued to fall to both sides, as Mathew Jones’ corner was headed narrowly wide by Steff Davies.
Penybont captain and talisman Kane Owen then found himself in space on the left to fire an effort at goal, which was blocked well by Aberystwyth Town midfielder Jamie Veale.
A huge chance fell to the Seasiders’ captain, Marc Williams, in the 70th minute as he raced onto a ball over the top. His attempted lob towards goal was pushed wide by Penybont goalkeeper Ashley Morris.
The referee was then called into action in the 80th minute, as Mathew Jones stopped a Bont counter-attack and was sent off, receiving a second yellow card.
With a man advantage, Penybont pushed to find a winner, with a free-kick delivery into the box finding Sam Snaith, who headed narrowly wide.
Despite the home side’s efforts to claim all three points, the Bont were forced to settle for their second draw of the season.
Rhys Griffiths’ side now travel to the Deeside Stadium to face Connah’s Quay Nomads, while Aberystwyth Town host Flint Town United in their next fixture.
Penybont: Ashley Morris, Kane Owen, Ashley Evans, Daniel Jefferies, Mael Davies, Kostya Georgievsky, Lewis Harling, Nathan Wood, Oliver Dalton, Lewis Baldwin, Connor Davies
Aberystwyth Town: Alex Pennock, Louis Bradford, Lee Jenkins, Sam Barnes, Mathew Jones, Jamie Veale, Marc Williams, Steff Davies (Harri Rowe 65’), Jonathan Evans, Gwion Owen, Rhys Davies (Richard Ricketts 70’)
(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)
