Ben Ahmun scored twice as 10-man Penybont fought back from 3-1 down to claim a point in their Cymru Premier Championship Conference game with Barry Town United at Jenner Park.
Despite Dan Jefferies being given his marching orders 12 minutes into the second half, when the score was 3-2, Ahmun found the net for a second time to secure a valuable point for Rhys Griffiths’ side.
Jamie Bird, Kayne McLaggon, and David Cotterill were on the score sheet for Gavin Chesterfield’s side, who led 3-1 at half-time, but surrendered their advantage in a disappointing second-half display.The result sees Barry remain in fourth place, with Penybont one point behind them in fifth with six games left to play in Phase Two.
The first chance of the game fell to the visitors, with Nathan Wood’s deflected effort saved superbly by Mike Lewis.
Penybont were made to regret a series of missed chances, as Barry counter-attacked from a golden Ahmun opportunity before opening the scoring. A David Cotterill cross from the right-hand side was met by a Rhys Kavanagh header, which deflected off Bird before flying into the back of the net.
The lead was extended further when Kavanagh turned provider with an impressive cross into McLaggon, who converted with his chest from close range.
Barry’s threat at set-pieces was an issue for Penybont, as Kyle Patten headed over from a Cotterill corner.
The deficit was halved when Ahmun converted a fantastic counter-attack involving Wood and Kostya Georgievsky.
Two minutes later, the Linnets restored their two-goal lead when Cotterill fired into the roof of the net from a Kavanagh cross.
Goal-scorer Bird came close to doubling his tally with a curling shot from the left, but it went narrowly wide.
A clever free-kick move off the training ground saw Wood force a save out of Lewis.
After multiple goal-bound efforts being blocked, the ball rolled out to Harris who found the bottom corner superbly.
Penybont’s momentum was lost less than 60 seconds later, as centre-half Dan Jefferies was dismissed for two yellow cards.
From the resulting free-kick, Bird forced an acrobatic save from Ashely Morris.
Substitute Curtis Jemmett-Hutson was lively when coming on, and fired off target after being played through on goal.
Penybont drew level as quick feet and a pin-point cross by Georgievksy was met by Ahmun who calmly finished for his second goal of the evening.
They could have taken the lead shortly after, as Georgievky volleyed wide after being played through by Sam Snaith.
The lead should have then been taken by the hosts, as Luke Cummings fired over from a one-on-one.
Almost identically, Cummings shot off target after being played through by Kavanagh.
Jemmett Hutson’s shot from range was caught at ease by Morris.
Kavanagh was next to come close for Barry, but his miss-hit volley was also easily stopped by Morris.
Drama resumed until the closing moments, as Penybont defender Ismail Yakubu slide-tackled to take the ball off the feet of Kavanagh who was destined to grab a winner in the final seconds.
Barry Town United: Michael Lewis, Kayne McLaggon (C) (Curtis Jemmett Hutson 46’), David Cotterill (Robbie Patten 65’), Luke Cummings, Curtis McDonald, Rhys Abbruzese, Kyle Patten, Clayton Green, Jamie Bird (Michael George 74’), Evan Press.
Goals: Jamie Bird (10’), Kayne McLaggon (25’), David Cotterill (42’)
Yellow cards: Luke Cummings (42’), Kayne McLaggon 45’), Rhys Kavanagh (67’)
Penybont: Ashley Morris, Kane Owen (C), Ashley Evans, Dan Jefferies, Mael Davies, Kostya Georgievsky (Lewis Clutton 77’), Ben Ahmun (Billy Borge 78’), Nathan Wood, Matthew Harris, Connor Davies (Sam Snaith 46’), Ismail Yakubu.
Goals: Ben Ahmun (40’, 72’), Matthew Harris (56’)
Yellow cards: Ismail Yakubu (27’), Matthew Harris (28’), Dan Jefferies (39’, 57’), Mael Davies (67’)
Red card: Dan Jefferies (57’)
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