Resilient Penrhiwceiber Rangers hold Baglan Dragons in Cymru South opening clash
Penrhiwceiber Rangers and Baglan Dragons couldn't be separated at the Glassbrook Field (Pic by John Smith/FAW)
A hard-working performance from Cymru South debutants Penrhiwceiber Rangers earned them a 0-0 draw at home to Baglan Dragons.
Despite the away side having the majority of possession they were unable to break down the Ceiber defence.
In an unusual humid day in South Wales neither side could find a winner despite chances at both ends.
The result means Baglan sit ninth in the table whilst Ceiber occupy 10th spot.
It was a fast-paced start from both sides as they looked to gain control of the game. Ceiber forward Jaymie Wearn picked up the first card of the game after just three minutes with a lunging challenge.
It was the away side who had the first effort on goal as Artiom Legavec found himself open at the back post. His header across goal clipping the outside of the post to the relief of the home side.
Penrhiwceiber did have the ball in the net in the ninth minute, however, the officials flag was raised to deny Wearn the opener.
They had another effort at goal in the 26th minute when Jack Thomas had a header at goal after a well timed run into the box, but it was well saved by keeper Matthew Stanton.
Baglan looked to gain control of possession as the half unfolded but were unable to break down a hard working home defence as the teams went in level at the break.
Carl Clement’s men continued to push for an opener as the second half started. Tom Randall saw his headed effort sail over early on.
Their failure to be clinical in front of goal was almost punished as the home side had two golden opportunities to take the lead.
Joseph Jenkins saw his volleyed effort drop just wide of the post before another chance for Harvey Hughes moments later was fired over the bar from the edge of the area.
The opportunities lifted the confidence of Dean Brown’s men as they started to apply pressure of their own late into the game.
They were agonisingly close to a winner in the 87th minute as Wearn had a left-footed effort from the edge of the area striking the post.
However, neither side could make their chances count as the final whistle blew at Glasbrook field.
Penrhiwceiber Rangers
Jacob Ireland (GK), Owen Orford, Owyn Airey, Jonathan Mcmenemy, Scott Lewis, Warren Jones (c), Joseph Jenkins, Jarrad Welch, Jack Thomas, Jaymie Wearn (Dewi Matthews 90+3’), Harvey Hughes
Yellow cards: Jaymie Wearn 3’ Warren Jones 58’ Scott Lewis 77’
Baglan Dragons
Matthew Stanton (GK), Joshua Evans, Jack Fleming, Lewis Holmes (c), Luke Evans, Jonathan Davies, Craig Wilcox (Jay Thomas 80’), Dylan Thomas, Thomas Davies, Tom Randall, Artiom Legavec (Joshua Williams 75’)
