Penybont 2-0 Barry Town United: Bont strengthen grip on fourth spot with win over Barry
Penybont celebrate their opening goal scored by Nathan Wood Penybont v Barry Town United at Bryntirion Park in the JD Cymru Premier on the 27th April 2021. Lewis Mitchell/Penybont FC
Penybont strengthened their grip on fourth place with a crucial 2–0 victory over Barry Town United at the SDM Glass Stadium.
Bont took an early lead through Nathan Wood, who finished off an intricate corner routine fourth goal of the season.
As Barry Town pressed for an equaliser in the second period, Kane Owen finished off a swift counter-attack to seal a valuable three points for the hosts.
The victory takes Rhys Griffiths’ side up to 45 points, opening up a five point gap between them and the Linnets.
Chesterfield’s side succumb to their fourth defeat in five games, falling to defeat against Penybont for a third time this season.
Bont came out of the blocks quickly and created chances early on, with the first falling to midfielder Matthew Harris, who volleyed wide from the edge of the area.
The hosts continued to press for the opening goal, as Wood cut inside and forced a save out of Mike Lewis with a great strike from distance.
Wood wasn’t to be denied, however, as an intricate corner routine between captain Owen and Mael Davies found the lively winger in space in the box to fire Bont ahead.
Griffiths’ side continued their positive start and looked to add to their lead, as striker Ben Ahmun headed over from a corner.
As Barry Town grew into proceedings, centre-back Luke Cooper met a dangerous corner delivery at the back post but headed over the bar.
A chance then fell to Bont substitute striker Sam Snaith, who got in behind the Barry defence, only to fire into the arms of Lewis.
In a positive attack for the visitors, young left-back Rhys Abbruzzese did well to cross down the left, but there was no Barry attacker on-hand to turn the ball home.
The first half developed into a fast-paced, end-to-end contest, as Bont’s Kostya Georgievsky and Davies combined well on the right, but striker Snaith was crowded out in the box.
Shortly before the break, striker Nathaniel Jarvis thought he had equalised for the visitors, only for his effort to be ruled out for offside.
In a competitive first period with chances for both sides, Penybont went into the break with a one-goal advantage.
Much like the first half, Bont started the second period on the front foot, as striker Ahmun fired over from the edge of the box.
A chance then fell to the visitors, as David Cotterill stepped up with a great effort from a free-kick, denied by an equally impressive save from Ashley Morris.
Barry Town grew into the second-half and had the most of possession, with striker Jarvis twice competing in the air with Morris, only for the Penybont goalkeeper to come out on top.
Bont looked dangerous on the counter-attack however, as striker Snaith curled narrowly wide with an effort on-the-turn.
Griffiths’ side’s willingness to break with pace paid dividends, as they doubled their lead.
A swift counter-attack was started and finished by captain Owen, who fired home Ashley Evans’ low cross with a great strike.
Having taken a two-goal advantage, Bont continued to threaten and could have gone further ahead late-on.
Substitute Lewis Clutton found space on the left side of the box to fire at goal, but struck an effort wide of the mark.
In the dying minutes, Barry Town pushed to reduce the deficit, as Cotterill beat the offside trap, only to be beaten to the ball by Morris.
Another chance then came for the visitors, as Cooper met a delivery at the back post, but headed over.
Despite the Linnets’ best efforts to get back into the contest, Griffiths’ side’s defence stood strong to seal a clean sheet and a valuable three points.
Penybont are back in action this weekend as they travel to Caernarfon Town, while Barry Town host Bala Town.
Penybont: Ashley Morris, Kane Owen, Ashley Evans, Dan Jefferies, Mael Davies, Kostya Georgievsky (Connor Davies 90’), Lewis Harling, Ben Ahmun (Lewis Clutton 65’), Nathan Wood (Liam Walsh 83’), Billy Borge, Matthew Harris (Sam Snaith 34’)
Goals: Nathan Wood 6’, Kane Owen 70’
Yellow Cards: Mael Davies 48’
Barry Town: Mike Lewis, Luke Cooper, Robbie Patten, Nat Jarvis (Rhys Kavanagh 63’), David Cotterill, Lewis Cummings (Michael George 63’), Curtis Jemmett-Hutson, Theo Wharton (Jamie Bird 63’), Curtis McDonald, Rhys Abbruzzese, Clayton Green (Evan Press 77’)
