Bont close to historic cup result
PENYBONT came within a lick of paint at Bala Town last Saturday of pulling off the biggest win in the four-season history of the Bridgend super club, writes Tony Poole.
Though Bont pulled off heroics in holding the Welsh Premiership side to 1-1 after 90 minutes in the fourth round of the JD Welsh Cup, they eventually went out on a 4-1 scoreline.
The real drama, however, at Maes Tegid unfolded in the third and final minute of time added on for stoppages. With the score locked on 1-1 and Bala fans on tenterhooks, the southern invaders came within a whisker of a winner.
Owain Warlow swung the ball over; Josef Hopkins diverted it across goal and Cullen Kinsella just failed to get anything on it.
The ball then shaved the far post - and the chance of the biggest giant-kill- ing act in the round of 16 clubs had evaporated.
It was cruel luck on the Bridgend super club, who then conceded three times in extra-time to give the final score a lopsided feel.
One thing’s for sure, the Lakesiders certainly didn’t deserve to beat Bont 4-1, and they were gracious in post-match reaction.
“It wasn’t the easiest of afternoons and ultimately we were just glad to make cup progress,” said Bala Town chief Colin Caton.
He went on: “Well done to Penybont for pushing us all the way - the side is a credit to manager Rhys Griffiths.
“They are certainly one to watch in Welsh League Division One, and all in all they did the town of Bridgend proud.’’
Ironically, if Bont had won the day they would have returned to North Wales next month to face opponents from the Huws Gray Alliance which is the northern equivalent of the Welsh League.
Last Saturday night’s Welsh Cup quarter-final draw paired Guilsfield, situated near Welshpool, at home to Bala Town.
The six other quarterfinalists are also situated in North Wales, including holders TNS, who thumped Lee Trundle’s Llanelli Town to the tune of 7-0.
Meanwhile, Penybont still have cup interest this season, and next month they travel to Aberavon Beach to take on Afan Lido in the South Wales FA Cup semi-finals.
(after extra-time, 1-1 90m) IF ever a scoreline failed to paint a picture then this was it, as Penybont bowed out of the competition against Bala Town at Maes Tegid, writes Tony Poole.
Victories over AFC Porth, Barry Town Utd and Airbus UK in the last round set up this Bala showdown.
They were backed with a healthy sprinkling of support and during the opening half, there was little to choose between two well-matched sides.
That said little of substance unfolded, barring the Lakesiders getting their noses in front in the 20th minute.
A superb 25-metre thunderbolt from Kieran Smith flashed past Rhys Wilson in the Bont goal.
Marcus Griffiths just missed out on two occasions for Bont and it remained 1-0 until they mustered an 88th-minute equaliser.
A Kane Owen corner was back-heeled into the net by Bont playermanager Rhys Griffiths, and his strike stunned the home crowd.
And they had hearts in their mouths during time added on when unmarked Cullen Kinsella almost latched on to a driven ball across the six-yard box from Josef Hopkins. That would have taken Bont into the quarter-finals, but instead extra-time was the order of the day.
And it was Bala who got the key goal at the end of the first half with Ian Sheridan netting. With eight minutes to go, Bala were awarded a penalty after Ryan Wade was felled in the box, and Anthony Stephens obliged with the ensuing penalty.
At 3-1, Bont were heading out, but salt was rubbed into wounds when Mark Jones lobbed goalkeeper Wilson right on time.
Bont resume league business on Saturday at home to Haverfordwest County (2pm).