Penybont 1-1 Cefn Druids: late drama as Druids equalise with long-range volley
Bridgend, Wales, UK. 29th Nov, 2020. Penybont v Cefn Druids at Bryntirion Park in the JD Cymru Premier on the 29th November 2020. Credit: Lewis Mitchell/YCPD
Penybont and Cefn Druids shared the points as the SDM Glass Stadium following two fantastic goals for both sides.
Ben Ahmun’s second-half chip was cancelled out by a goal of the season contender from defender Jacob Wise in the 88th minute.
The draw means Bruno Lopes’ side pick up their fifth point of the season as they look to move closer out of the relegation zone.
Druids had an early penalty shout when they counter-attacked with Christoph Aziamale. The attacker claimed he was brought down in the box, but the referee didn’t award a spot-kick.
The first chance of the game fell to the hosts when Kane Owen whipped in a free-kick from the right which was met by Kostya Georgievsky just outside the six-yard-box but the header went just over the crossbar.
A well-crafted attack involving Mael Davies and Nathan Wood saw Lewis Harling have an attempt from the edge of the area blocked.
Chances were few and far between in the opening 25 minutes, as Penybont struggled to break down Druids’ well-structured defensive unit.
Aziamale had a golden opportunity to open the scoring when he was played through on goal, but his attempt went wide of the near post.
Ashley Morris was the hero on the half-hour mark when his outstanding save denied Aaron Simpson taking the lead.
German striker Aziamale had another chance for the visitors but his left-footed shot was too high.
Druids were almost made to regret early squandered opportunities in the 38th minute when Georgievsky was played through by Kane Owen. The winger hesitated a shot before pulling the ball back to Ben Ahmun whose shot was blocked.
The away side arguably had the better of the first half.
The second half started with somewhat low intensity as neither side created a clear-cut chance in the first 15 minutes of the second half.
Manager Rhys Griffiths changed the hosts’ shape to what seemed like three-at-the-back on the hour mark in the hope of breaking the deadlock.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 72nd minute when Ahmun chipped the goalkeeper after his first attempt was saved. The rebound fell kindly to the striker who found the top-left corner excellently.
Druids came close to drawing level in the 80th minute when a cross from the left found Alex Darlington free in the area but his touch was too heavy and the ball was cleared.
Substitute Jamie Reed was next to get an opportunity to equalise when his header went narrowly wide of the post. He was, however, penalised for being offside, so the goal wouldn’t have stood.
Druids equalised in style in the 88th minute when Futsal player and centre-half Jacob Wise hit a spectacular volley from range into the bottom left corner.
Despite an end-to-end close to the game, neither side were able to find a winner.
Penybont: Ashley Morris, Kane Owen © (Billy Borge 80′), Dan Jefferies, Mael Davies, Kostya Georgievsky (Ian Traylor), Lewis Harling, Ben Ahmun, Nathan Wood (Ashley Evans 59’), Oliver Dalton, Matthew Harris, Ismail Yakubu.
Goals: Ben Ahmun (72′)
Cefn Druids: Michael Jones ©, Naim Arsan, Josh Green, Phillip Mooney, Aaron Simpson, Sam Phillips (Harry Brazel 81′), Iwan Cartwright, Josef Faux, Christoph Aziamale (Jamie Reed 59’), Ryan Kershaw (Alex Darlington 67’), Jacob Wise.
Goals: Jacob Wise (88′)
Yellow Cards: Phillip Mooney (8’)
Find out how the Cefn Druids and Penybont played to a draw here:
(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell /YCPD)
