Penybont produce stunning comeback to beat Cardiff Met in race for European spot
Lewis Harling of Penybont celebrates scoring his sides third goal. Cardiff Metropolitan University v Penybont in the JD Cymru Premier at Cyncoed Campus on the 31st March 2023.
Penybont battled from two goals down as they came from behind to win 3-2 against Cardiff Met in their quest for a Europa Conference League spot.
A first-half goal from Lewis Rees put the Archers in front, and quickly after the restart for the second half, Harry Owen doubled their lead but they were unable to hold on. Nathan Wood pulled one goal back in a fine individual goal started in his own half before Ryan Reynolds equalised with a shot just inside the box. Lewis Harling then took the points back to Bridgend with a header.
Penybont – awaiting the outcome of a points deduction – are now eight points clear in what could be an automatic spot for Europe, depending on who wins the Welsh Cup. If Rhys Griffiths’ side were to be deducted six points, they would still hold a two-point lead over the Met.
The game started with both teams testing each other out, both weary of loosing their shape and leaving themselves exposed. The first chance for Sam Jones came from a Lewis Rees low cross was just behind the Cymru C capped Archer and was unable to connect cleanly with it. Penybont quickly turned the screw and things started to click. Mael Davies was getting more and more involved on the right hand side and able to ping passes into dangerous areas. But against the run of play, the home side scored via the boot of the no.9, Rees. Tapping in the ball after some poor clearing to make it 1-0 just before the half.
Seconds after the referee blew his whistle, Cardiff Met got a shot on goal that forced Absalom to palm it away, but Harry Owen was on his tip toes and pounced on the loose ball in the box to double the Archer’s lead. Cardiff Met seemed to be in full control. As the game started to break up both teams were getting more and more promising attacks in the final third. As Met were building up the pressure at the edge of Penybont’s box, The visitors’ number 10 gave us a 10/10 goal. Wood picked up the ball at the edge of his box and drove forward streaking away from Cardiff Met’s challenges before slotting it past Lang in goal.
Penybont’s tails were up, they inflicted continuous pressure in Met’s half before the ball Ryan Jenkins was visibly frustrated as his side seemed to struggle with the pressure the men in blue were putting them under. In the end the pressure was too much, the ball was passed out Ryan Reynolds outside the box and a left footed strike caught Lang off guard to make it 2-2.
It was evident that the home side will have to dig deep to get a point out of this game as Penybont felt it was there for the taking. The attacks kept coming and eventually a floated cross into the box found the Harling at the back post for him to head it home to put Penybont ahead for the first time in the match 80 minutes into the match. Cardiff Met were broken following the final whistle and no doubt Ryan Jenkins was too. Stelar performances from Penybont’s key men Yorwerth and Wood to secure vital 3 points away from home to tighten their grip on the 3rd spot.
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With Bala Town snapping at the Archers’ feet Cardiff Met will certainly feel the pressure tonight as a win would go a long way for their top three push and in keeping Bala Town FC at bay. Cardiff Met are the only team who don’t have to play TNS following last week’s 7-1 loss. But after their heroic 3-2 victory against this year’s league champions earlier in the year, those 3 points could make the difference if TNS are on form in these final weeks. It’s all to play for.
Cardiff Met: Alex Lang, Matt Chubb, Kyle McCarthy, Emlyn Lewis, Eliot Evans, Chris Baker (C), (Dixon Kabongo, 21), Lewis Rees (Brandon Roberts, 90), Charlie Corsby, Harry Owen, Cian Williams, and Sam Jones.
Goals: Lewis Rees 45+1, Harry Owen 46′
Yellow Cards: Sam Jones 56, Emlyn Lewis 82,
Penybont: Kelland Absalom, Mark Little, Kane Owen (C), Mael Davies, Lewis Harling, Sam Snaith (Keyon Reffell, 45), Nathan Wood, Josh Yorwerth, Lewis Clutton (Kai Whitmore, 69), Ryan Reynolds, Shaun MacDonald.
Goals: Nathan Wood 64, Ryan Reynolds 73, Lewis Harling 79′
Yellow Cards: Mael Davies 90+3′
