Glamorgan Gazette

Griffiths strikes again to secure Bont a win

-

And Parry was summoned on to the field in the 43rd minute when player-manager Rhys Griffiths had to retire with a recurrence of a calf injury.

From the word go, the difficult state of the surface led to the ball spending more time in the air than on the deck.

The lone Caldicot threat came from bombs thrown into the box by long-throw expert Ashley Palmer.

But all things considered, Bont controlled the game for long periods, and were in the box seat after taking a 31st-minute lead.

Adam Carpenter chipped the ball to Owain Warlow, who floated a cross over for hungry hitman Marcus Griffiths to keep a productive goalscorin­g sequence going.

Just a minute later there was a tad more excitement when a Marcus Griffiths header clipped the frame of the goal tended by Jack Harris in the absence of normal occupant Gareth Wesson.

Though during the second half goalkeeper Harris had more work to perform than opposite number Rhys Wilson, he week with the arrival of craggy centre-back Shaun Barney-Williams from Bridgend super club Penybont.

Though Barney had played little football since Christmas, his physical presence played a part in this key victory.

Panteg are the only side to down the Windmiller­s in the league this term and manager Karl Lewis was keen to turn the tables on the men of Gwent.

Since losing 2-1 at Panteg back in October, the Windmiller­s entered this rematch with a league record displaying a sixmatch unbeaten run.

They of course went on wasn’t exactly overburden­ed with work.

One of the best Bont chances unfolded in the 55th minute when Bleddyn Webster – making a first league start owing to injured Cullen Kinsella – teed up a chance for Mar- to stretch the unbeaten tag to seven games and in the process became the first team this season to prevent Panteg scoring.

During the early stages despite being without fox in the box Luke Cox - who was on a romantic weekend in Cambridge – Llantwit Major cut out the pace.

But there was a spot of huff and puff before they blew Panteg House down with a 40th minute goal.

Lee Jones was the instigator and after namesake Rob Jones rode two challenges, he centred for Lee Jones to head home.

This represente­d a first goal for Lee Jones since cus Griffiths.

But on this occasion the club’s leading scorer saw his dip at goal go just wide.

After that, you had to wait until the 90th minute for the next entertainm­ent with Carpenter screwing the famous cracker he knocked in during the 1-0 home win over Llandrindo­d Wells in the JD Welsh Cup back in November.

But other than that, there was little to write home about and the Windmiller­s were satisfied to change ends a goal-to-nil in front.

During the opening second-half exchanges, it was Panteg who were beginning to rule the roost – and Llantwit Major weren’t counting chickens.

But with Barney and Darren Robinson as safe as the Bank of England at the back, Panteg were unable to cash in. an effort just off target.

But with the points already in the bank, Bont were then just content to wind down the clock.

Penybont return to the Kymco Stadium on Saturday to face Risca United (2.30pm).

Jonny Fletcher was also on the money while rocket man Dale Stephenson built up a timely head of steam.

Pressure was absorbed like a sponge and in the 86th minute, the Windmiller­s went on a roll.

A beast of a pass from 16-year-old Luke Beattie sent his chum Sammy Snaith haring away and he rounded the goalkeeper to put the three points to bed.

Next up for Llantwit Major is a trip to the capital on Saturday to face Ely Rangers – and it will represent a first meeting of the season between the clubs.

 ?? BERNIE FORD ?? Marcus Griffiths gets a shot in
BERNIE FORD Marcus Griffiths gets a shot in

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom