Ten-man Cardiff Met cling on as Penybont draw blank again
Treforest, Wales - 25th August 2023: Henry Jones of Penybont in action. Pontypridd United v Penybont in the JD Cymru Premier at USW Sports Park on the 25th August 2023. (Pic by Lewis Mitchell/FAW)
Cardiff Met and Penybont maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a goalless draw at the SDM Glass Stadium.
Last season’s third and fourth-place ame toe-to-toe as the opening stages were strong from both defences as neither side could really create any chances.
Dixon Kabongo and Emlyn Lewis made great tackles to deny any chances for the home side, as Penybont were favourites to score early on.
A chance soon came as Alex Lang was forced to spring into action as Lewis Harling fired a strike that was destined for the bottom right corner, but the number one denied them.
Following the home side’s chance, Met had one of their own as Harry Owen had an effort go wide from distance.
Reffell was booked for a high boot on Emlyn Lewis, as the forward had barely any chances in the first half.
The best chance for Met came near the end as Thomas Vincent found Eliot Evans in space as the Met winger found CJ Craven, who hit the side netting.
Unlike the first half, there was a great chance early on as Chris Venables had an effort fired straight at Alex Lang as the Met shot stopper denied the home side.
Rhys Griffitts’s side doubled their tally of yellow cards as Henry Jones was booked for a foul on CJ Craven.
With 30 minutes to go, the game reached a new level as the game came to life as Mael Davies delivered a sweet cross onto the head of Harling, who had his go just inches past the post.
Penybont added a third yellow card of the night as veteran striker Chris Venables was in disagreement with the referee.
Moments later, Met had the best chance of the game as Tom Price delivered an inch-perfect cross to Lewis Rees, who missed the header from close range.
The home side could have taken the lead just minutes later as Mael Davies headed the ball into the box as Daniel Jefferies had his own header rattle the crossbar.
Tom Vincent received Cardiff Met’s first yellow card of the evening as he fouled Mark Little on the halfway line.
Just minutes later, Vincent was very unlucky as Borge dived in for a header. Vincent was unaware of the player going in for the header, as he kicked Borge’s head and not the ball as Met went down to ten.
Shaun Mcdonald found Gabriel Kircough in the penalty area, and the 19-year-old then played the ball to Harling, who fired a powerful shot straight at Lang, who made sure the game was still level.
As the game was heading into stoppage time, Kane Owen found Harling with a short pass, but the Penybont midfielder stuck his leg out and was denied yet again by Alex Lang.
Lewis Harling had plenty of chances to grab a goal for the home side, but he only grabbed a yellow card at the end as he collided with Kyle McCarthy.
Penybont
Alex Harris, Mark Little, Kane Owen (C), Ashley Evans, Dan Jefferies, Mael Davies, Lewis Harling, Chris Venables (Dan Griffiths,76), Henry Jones (Ryan Reynolds ,55), Billy Borge (Gabriel Kircough,81), Keyon Ruffell (Shaun Mcdonald ,55)
Subs:
Alex Pennock, Lewys Ware, Dan Griffiths, Gabriel Kircough, Ryan Reynolds, Shaun Mcdonald
Yellows:
Keyon Ruffell 43, Henry Jones 49, Chris Venables 66, Lewis Harling 90+6
Cardiff Met
Alex Lang, Matt Chubb, Emlyn Lewis Kyle McCarthy (C), Tom Price, Eliot Evans, Dixon Kabongo, Lewis Rees (Brandon Roberts, 90+5), Harry Owen, Chris Craven, Tom Vincent
Subs
Ben Haines, Evan Cadwallader, Cian WIlliams, Barney Soadey, Brandon Roberts, Elliot Humphries, Alfie Jones
Yellows:
Tom Vincent 75, 78
Red:
Tom Vincent 78
