Penybont 0-1 Newtown: Super-sub Breese sends Robins into final
23/05/2021 - Penybont 0-1 Newtown © Carl Robertson
Newtown will contest with Caernarfon Town for a place in the Europa Conference League after they defeated Penybont 1-0 at the SDM Glass Stadium.
An 86th-minute winner by substitute Jamie Breese means the Robins will face Caernarfon Town – Breese’s former club – away from home in the play-off final next weekend.
Penybont’s superb second season in the Welsh top flight came to an end and there will be no play-off final for them to play in.
The hosts started on the front foot and came close to scoring straight from kickoff. Nathan Wood provided a cross into the path of Ashley Evans, but his shot was blocked.
Bont failed to convert from a double chance off a corner. The first fell to Ismail Yakubu whose headed effort was cleared off the goal line. The second saw Billy Borge’s shot inside the box get blocked.
Mael Davies was next to try his luck. His left-footed strike from the edge of the box flew over the crossbar.
Newtown’s first attempt came through Nick Rushton, whose attempt from the edge of the box was blocked by Dan Jefferies and the ball went out for a corner.
Robin defender Shane Sutton nearly put the ball into his own net following a Kane Owen cross, but it narrowly missed the front post.
Wood provided an incisive through ball to Snaith, but Sutton recovered well to block the shot.
Penybont were dangerous from set pieces, and Jefferies headered wide from an Owen cross.
Jefferies denied Kieran Mills-Evans from taking the lead with a block on a shot in the six-yard-box.
Fumpa Mwandwe was lively throughout the game, offering Newtown speed and directness on the counter attack.
Ashley Morris faced his first test on the brink of half-time, as a deflected Jordan Evans attempt forced the shot-stopper to make a save in the bottom right corner.
In the second half, Wood came agonisingly close to opening the scoring as he blasted the far post after creating space for himself with quick feet.
Mwandwe forced an athletic block out of Yakubu, and Jordan Evans forced a strong save out of Morris seconds later.
Newtown were inches away from taking the lead through Mwandwe. The tricky winger found space before firing narrowly wide with a venomous strike.
Penybont has a penalty shout when players and fans claimed Ahmun’s shot hit Sutton’s arm, although it was unclear whether contact was made with the arm or chest.
In another chance for the home side to make their pressure count, Mael Davies fired a shot on target from range, but Dave Jones saved at ease.
Instead, Newtowns seized the iniative and took the lead with four minutes remaining.
Impact substitute Breese finished superbly by smashing the ball with his left foot past a rooted Morris after his initial attempt was closed down.
Breese came close to doubling his tally as he forced a strong save out of Morris in goal but his shot was blocked.
Penybont: Ashley Morris, Kane Owen (C), Ashley Evans, Dan Jefferies, Mael Davies, Lewis Harling, Ben Ahmun (Mason Thomas-Jones 87’), Nathan Wood, Sam Snaith (Rhys Griffiths 87’), Billy Borge (Oli Dalton 75’), Ismail Yakubu.
Yellow Cards: Mael Davies (20’), Ismail Yakubu (56’), Rhys Griffiths (90’)
Newtown: Dave Jones, Kieran Mills-Evans, Nick Rushton, Jordan Evans (Sean McAllister 90’), Craig Williams (C), Tyrone Ofori (Jamie Breese 80’), Ryan Edwards, Shane Sutton, Alex Fletcher, Lifumpa Mwandwe, Callum Roberts.
Goals: Jamie Breese (86’)
Yellow Card: Callum Roberts (89’)
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