Two new signings for Bont
PENYBONT Football Club has brought in two players with Welsh Premiership experience, writes Tony Poole.
Duane Saunders and Kane Owen have signed from Port Talbot Town and Aberystwyth Town respectively.
New Bont boss Rhys Griffiths and assistant Martyn Giles are looking to tweak the Bridgend super club’s squad this summer.
The only way is Bont for Essex-born Saunders, who ex-Port Talbot boss Mark Jones signed from San Francisco Seals.
But no sooner had the 29-year-old midfield man settled with the Steelmen in 2011, he suffered a broken tibia that ruled him out until the following season.
After regaining fitness, he was sent out on loan to Bridgend Town, who were in a final season ahead of the impending merger with Bryntirion Athletic in May 2013.
He figured for Town during Brewery Field days along with another Port Talbot Town loanee in Jordan Edwards.
Ironically, Edwards last weekend exited Goytre Utd and signed for Port Talbot rivals Afan Lido.
Last winter, Saunders made two substitute appearances for the Steelmen and was a bench warmer on seven occasions.
However, Saunders has another string to his bow as he’s also a physiotherapist.
Left-back Kane, aged 21, was regarded a bright prospect when at Cardiff City Academy and was part of the team that won the Development League title on two occasions.
He joined Afan Lido last summer, winning a regular place in the side, before joining Griffiths in mid-season at Aberystwyth.
So, Griffiths has fresh options in both the backfour and in midfield ahead of the start of the new season.
And while these are definite arrivals, the Bridgend super club is being linked with two former Bont stars – striker Anthony Rawlings (Goytre Utd) and midfield ace Jonny Hood (Caerau).
Rawlings headed to Goytre before Christmas while Hood steamed back to the Riverboat from Port Talbot last spring.