A hat-trick inside the opening twenty minutes from Ben Ahmun helped Penybont to a comfortable victory over Aberystwyth.
Ahmun’s hat-trick was his first in the Cymru Premier, and marked his first goals since April 2021.
Despite the visitors dominating possession in the opening minutes, a mistake at the back led to a simple goal for Ahmun. Lee Jenkins’ header backwards from a Penybont clearance led to a mix-up in communication between Zabret and Bradford, with the latter going down injured, and Ahmun collected the spoils to pass into an empty net.
Ten minutes later, Ahmun was handed a second goal on a plate. Another long ball from Penybont was straight at Rimmer, but a heavy touch gave the ball straight to Ahmun. The striker was left with a one-on-one, and he duly slotted it past Zabret.
With just 20 minutes on the clock, Ahmun completed his hat-trick, with another simple goal. Owen’s corner was headed on by Wood to Ahmun, whose tap-in on the near post all but wrapped up the result.
Penybont could have added to their advantage before the half-time whistle. A cross by Mael Davies found the head of Snaith, who couldn’t make a clean connection, and the ball then fell to Kane Owen who saw his powerful shot deflected out for a corner.
Despite the deficit, the away side came out firing in the second half. John Owen went on a barnstorming run from the halfway line all the way to the Penybont box, and did well to hold onto the ball before firing narrowly over the bar. Substitute Steff Davies also came close just seconds later, but his header was comfortably saved by Ashley Morris.
Things went from bad to worse for Aber on the hour mark, when Alex Darlington, who had only been on for fifteen minutes, was given his marching orders for a reckless tackle from behind on Nathan Wood.
Despite being a man down, Aber continued to press for a consolation goal, and their best opportunity of the game came through John Owen. A free-kick was flicked on to the unmarked Owen, whose half-volley from a tight angle drew a superb save from Morris.
Down the other end, Ben Ahmun came close to adding his fourth of the night, but his blocked shot fell to Wood, who fired narrowly wide of the target.
More chances fell to John Owen in the final 20 minutes, but Morris was equal to the task. A poor header by Shaun MacDonald fell straight to the experienced striker, but his tame effort was easy for Morris to deal with.
The fourth and final goal was added by Nathan Wood in the final fifteen minutes. The winger showed some of his trademark trickery to get past Veale, before slottin the ball through to Harling, who returned it to Wood to fire home, despite a deflection from Rhys Davies.
Line-Ups
Penybont: Ashley Morris, Kane Owen (C), Ashley Evans (Ryan Reynolds 79′), Dan Jefferies, Mael Davies (Liam Walsh 83′), Lewis Harling, Ben Ahmun (Keane Watts 73′), Nathan Wood, Sam Snaith, Lewis Clutton (Jack Evans 73′), Shaun MacDonald (Billy Borge 83′)
Unused substitute: Tye Williams
Goals: Ben Ahmun 9, 15, 21, Nathan Wood 77′
Yellow card: Ashley Evans 60′
Aberystwyth: Gregor Zabret, Jack Rimmer, Rhys Davies, Louis Bradford (Owen Orford 10′, Alex Darlington 46′), Lee Jenkins, Jack Thorn (C), Mathew Jones, Jamie Veale, John Owen (Cameron Allen 80′), Harry Franklin (Jonathan Evans 80′), Sam Phillips (Steffan Davies 46′)
Unused substitutes: Alex Pennock, Jamie Jones
Yellow cards: John Owen 52, Jack Rimmer 90′
Red card: Alex Darlington 60′
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