Penrhiwceiber Rangers promoted to Cymru South after Ardal South West title win
Penrhiwceiber Rangers lift the Ardal South West trophy. (Image: Will Cheshire)
Penrhiwceiber Rangers have been promoted to the Cymru South after they were crowned Ardal South West champions with a 3-0 win over Seven Sisters Onllwyn.
The hosts needed just a point to overtake title rivals Cefn Cribwr in their final game of the season but finished off their campaign with a win as Joseph Jenkins got them up and running before Brandon Davies and Owen Orford added two more goals.
Cribwr concluded their league season last week whilst Ceiber knew they needed seven points from their remaining three games and they answered the challenge by claiming maximum points. Cefn Cribwr must now settle for a place in the play-offs against Newport City on Friday, May 24.
Both sides showed early attacking intent with Penrhiwceiber forcing an early save from Damian Turner. Jenkins powered a shot from a distance and the Onllwyn goalkeeper grabbed the ball on the second attempt to avoid fumbling it into Brandon Davies’s path.
Captain Warren Jones had an opportunity minutes later as Jack Thomas threaded him through but Turner blocked him from tucking away a shot aimed for the low left-hand corner.
Ceiber continued to make chances and Turner made a reactive save to deny Davies scoring by blocking with his feet after a swept effort.
Onllwyn weathered the Penrhiwceiber storm and almost went in front. Lewis Taylor and Brooklyn Drake combined well but were stopped by the home defenders who slung themselves in the way of their shots. Another chance soon came as Steffan Jenkins from 30 yards got his free-kick over the wall but just wide of the target.
Penrhiwceiber made the most of the visiting team missing their chance as they went in front. Davies teed up Jenkins and from close range, he powered the ball past the goalkeeper.
Penrhiwceiber held a one goal lead going in to the break and nearly doubled their advantage shortly after the restart. Jenkins showed neat feet before sending a low shot just past the post.
A penalty appeal then came from the home supporters and players as Brandon Hill fell over the box but the referee adjudged the foul to be outside of the box. Jarrad Welch took the resulting set piece but it hit the wall.
Penrhwiceiber continued to cause problems with Turner denying Jenkins by tipping a shot over the bar.
The Onllwyn goalkeeper could do nothing about Penrhiwceiber’s second however. Brown found himself in an attacking position and he put the ball on a plate to Davies to strike from close range.
The visitors had the chance to reduce the deficit through Leon Herdman as a lofted ball over the top fell to his feet but he spurned his chance by miskicking his shot.
Penrhiwceber made sure of the victory with a goal in the final 10 minutes. Owen Orford broke down his side and squeeze a shot off the Onllwyn defender.
Neither Ceiber or Onllwyn could make any more chances of note and that allowed the hosts to stoll through to victory before hearing the full-time whistle which crowned them the champions of the third tier in the South West.
Penrhiwceiber Rangers
Jacob Ireland, Owen Orford, Brandon Hill (Harvey Hughes, 61), Dean Brown, Alex Rees, Jarrad Welch, Warren Jones (C), Jack Thomas, Joseph Jenkins and Brandon Davies (Jaymie Wearn, 71)
Subs: Christopher Stonelake, Morgan Grahame, Harvey Hughes, Garin Withers and Jaymie Wearn.
Goals: Joseph Jenkins 34, Brandon Davies 59, Owen Orford 81′
Yellow Cards: Morgan Grahame 87′
Seven Sisters Onllwyn
Damian Turner, Jonathan Douglas, Iestyn Clement, Cai Thomas (C), Emyr James (Daniel Evans, 65), Ethan Taylor (Alex Williams, 53), Leon Herdman, Shay Isaac, Steffan Jenkins, Lewis Taylor and Brooklyn Drake.
Subs: Tito Anderson, Alex Williams and Daniel Evans.
