Penybont will travel to Andorra with their tie evenly poised after a 1-1 draw with FC Santa Coloma at the Brewery Field.
Chris Venables – on his Bont debut netted a second-half equaliser cancelled out Mario Mourelo’s opener, who scored from a free-kick in the first half. It was an entertaining spectacle with Santa Coloma edging it in chances, but Rhys Griffiths will be happy in how his side fared on their European debut.
Santa Coloma started on the front foot and both Andriy Markovych and Virgli had some joy down their flanks. Virgili went near with a 25-yard effort but fortunately, his effort flew past Alex Harris’ goal.
Another chance then shortly followed with Sergio Rodriguez’s free-kick from inside his own half, whizzing just past the post. Eloy Gila – Coloma’s top scorer – registered the first shot on target as he sliced a shot at Harris.
Penybont were under the cosh but managed to get a shot away. Lewis Harling hit the side netting after being played through Keyon Reffell.
Coloma were gifted the lead through two mistakes. Keyon Reffell was adjudged to have fouled a Coloma player, and then from Mourelo’s free-kick, he squeezed a low shut underneath Harris, whose view was obstructed.
Dead-ball specialist Owen got Penybont’s best opportunity from a free-kick. Lewis Harling drew a foul, and Owen’s left-footed effort was tipped over the bar by the Andorran international goalkeeper.
The hosts got themselves back on level terms as the Cymru Premier legend Venables bagged on his debut. Owen lofted a free-kick in and substitute Dan Jefferies guided the ball to Venables who dinked it home.
In the latter stages of the game, momentum was with Penybont, both there were chances for both sides. Firstly, Ivan Garrido’s shot flew just over the bar after deflecting off a Bont player, and then up the other end Owen’s looped header had to be held by Gomes.
Neither side could find a breakthrough, and now both sides go to Andorra next week with a goal apiece.
Penybont: Alex Harris, Mark Little, Kane Owen (C), Ashley Evans, Mael Davies, Lewis Harling, Chris Venables, Lewis Clutton (Dan Jefferies, 46), Josh Yorwerth, Ryan Reynolds (Henry Jones, 64)
Goals: Chris Venables 66′
FC Santa Coloma: Joseph Gomes, Gerard Gomez, Marc Rebes, Daniel Toribio (C), Virgili, Sergio Rodriguez, Miguel Lopez Miguez (Marc Niegra, 75), David Crespo, Andriy Markovych, Eloy Gila, Mario Mourelo (Ivan Garrido, 81)
Goals: Mario Mourelo 36′
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