PREMIER DIVISION

PENCOED ATHLETIC ... 2 PENYDARREN BOYS CLUB ............................... 1

PENCOED Athletic must wish they could play Penydarren Boys Club every week, writes Tony Poole.

Earlier in the season, the Felindre Road boys carded a 3-2 win in the Merthyr Tydfil suburbs against a side that has applied for promotion to the Nathaniel Cars Welsh League.

But it seems as if Penydarren is like showing a red rag to a bull for Pencoed – and they once more took the bull by the horns.

In a blistering display from Mark Powell’s side, bristling with pride, they bossed the game from the outset.

The form of 17-yearold Jack Hopkins, who has just returned from a serious injury, has seen him anchor midfield.

And captain fantastic Evan Price, who is just a year older than Hopkins, has also been in exemplary form of late.

Despite being slow starters this term, this time around they applied the choke from the word go with Adam Brimble and Marc Turner bringing out the best in the goalkeeper.

But for all their dominance it was 0-0 at the break, and there were fears around the ground that Pencoed had missed the boat.

Eventually, pressure told with Keegan Rees – who scored twice last month in the 3-1 win at Betws – scoring from close range.

The architect of the lead goal was Turner but with 20 minutes to go, there was still time for Penydarren to rally.

And rally they did with an equaliser stemming from a disputed free kick.

But instead of feeling sorry for themselves, Pencoed went out and won the game for a second time.

After two good chances went begging, Sam Brown supported the front men to cook the Penydarren goose.

He dished up a close-range strike, and a first senior goal of the campaign settled the destination of the points.

Next up for Pencoed is a trip on Saturday to Llantwit Fardre with the former Welsh League club battling to avoid the drop.