As-it-happened: Penybont 1-1 Connah’s Quay – Cymru Premier
Kane Owen of Penybont celebrates scoring his sides equalising goal. From the penalty spot. Penybont v Connahs Quay Nomads in the JD Cymru Premier at Bryntirion Park on the 11th March 2023.
Kane Owen’s 81st minute penalty rescued a point for Penybont at home to a sturdy Connah’s Quay side.
The skipper’s equaliser was massive in the Cymru Premier European race.
The match was a very cagey affair. For teams who are second and third in the league, the quality was a low. However this was understandable give what was at stake.
Penybont were the more likely of the sides in the first half. Lewis Harling had the best and only chance of the half. A 35th minute corner for the home side landed at the feet of Harling his rattled the crossbar with a close range half volley.
A goaless first half saw both sides and both sets of fans growing in frustration. You could see how big this game was.
Penybont dominated again in the second half. But for every ball into the box, it was more dissapointing end product.
Connah’s Quay rarely had a sniff until Ben Nash scored a vital goal. A corner played in by Kris Owens was met powerfully by Nash who gave The Normads a crucial lead against the run of play on the 65th minute.
2022/23 Cymru Premier: Fixtures, Results, and Top Scorers
But that lead would soon evaporate when Kris Owens took down substitute Lewis Clutton in the box. The referee Aaron Wyn Jones had had a lot of noise to deal with up until then but got no complaints when he gave the penalty. Ten minutes from time, Kane Owens stepped up and hammered home the equalizer.
Penybont pushed for a winner but in the 90th minute a horror injury to Paulo Mendes saw a ten minute stoppage in play.
Questions over weather the game should have been abandoned loomed over his abhorrent injury. But, after he was swiftly rushed to hospital, the three minutes of added time were played.
The game finished 1 – 1 meaning Penybont missed the chance to climb above Connah’s Quay.
But Penybont may get the chance next Friday when Connah’s Quay host the unstoppable TNS. When they travel to Newtown the following day, it could be with a chance to climb to second
