Penybont avoided last-day jitters as they secured a top six spot by defeating Haverfordwest County 2-0 at the SDM Glass Stadium.
A first-half header from Sam Snaith after Kane Owen’s cross gave them the lead at the break. Mael Davies then doubled their advantage just before the hour mark following a flowing passing move.
The home side were in control of most of the second half. Haverfordwest were still able to create openings but never seriously troubled Ashley Morris.
Davies’ goal killed off Haverfordwest’s slim chances of making the top six but they kept going but were unable to craft any real chances.
The result means Penybont remain in fifth place a point behind Barry Town in fourth. Haverfordwest are seventh and eight points clear of Aberystwyth Town as the league splits for Phase Two.
Kane Owen who was heavily involved in Penybont’s attacks was forging a good relationship with Nathan Wood down the left-flank.
Haverfordwest almost carved an opportunity when Matt Turner almost sent Ben Fawcett clear from his kick out, but the ball hit the Haverfordwest forward on the back of the head and went out for a goal kick.
Kostya Georgrevsky found himself in the box after a long pass from Owen, but he ran into two County defenders.
The Bluebirds were dealt a blow as shot-stopper Matthew Turner was forced off with an injury and was later seen with his arm in a sling, in his place was Wojciech Gajda.
Gajda’s first real job however was to pick the ball out of the net as Penybont opened the scoring from a corner-kick, in which they had been troubling the defence on.
An inswinging corner from Kane Owen saw Snaith rise above everybody to head the ball into the ground and bounce up over the outstretched arms of Gajda.
County looked to get back into the game in a lively second half. Fawcett, who ran constantly at the Penybont defence was played though for a one-on-one with Morris until Davies got back with a superbly timed challenge to deny him.
Snaith gave Haverfordwest problems throughout the game and almost made it two with an overhead kick. During a scramble in the box. The tall forward teed up the ball and struck an overhead kick forcing a fine save from Gajda, who turned the ball away.
Penybont got their second goal just before the hour mark as Davies finished off a free flowing passing move with a low 25-yard strike. The hosts passing pulled apart the Haverfordwest midfield and gave Davies space and time to fire a low shot past Gajda.
Haverfordwest did have the ball in the net through Alaric Jones but he committed a foul in the build-up following Elliot Scotcher’s free kick.
Haverfordwest kept trying to get back into the game and two opportunities as Penybont invited pressure. Marcus Griffiths side-footed volley was saved by Morris and Danny Williams’s shot inside the box was blocked.
Penybont’s defence however remained unchallenged and kept a clean sheet as they confirmed their passage into the top six for the first time in their history.
Penybont manager Rhys Griffiths said: “I’m really pleased we’ve finished with a win. I was confident all week that we would be able to turn up and perform.
“I didn’t think it was the best game but I’m really pleased to get the win.”
Penybont: Ashley Morris, Kane Owen (Connor Davies, 89), Ashley Evans, Daniel Jefferies (Billy Borge, 75), Mael Davies, Kostya Georgrevsky (Mason Thomas-Jones, 62), Lewis Harling, Nathan Wood (Lewis Clutton,75), Oliver Dalton, San Snaith (Rhys Stevens, 89)
Goals: Sam Snaith 45+1, Mael Davies 60′
Yellow Cards: Daniel Jefferies 21, Kostya Georgrevsky 55′
Haverfordwest County: Matthew Turner (Wojciech Gajda 35), Daniel Summerfield, Trystan Jones (Marcus Griffiths, 56), Alaric Jones, Scott Tancock, Corey Shepherd, Ben Fawcett, Elliot Scotcher, Kieran Lewis (Kurtis Rees, 75), Danny Williams
Yellow Cards: Daniel Summerfield 90′
See how the action unfolded by following the game as-it-happened below:
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