PRE-SEASON
FOOTBALL TAMWORTH .................. 3 PENYBONT .................... 2
PENYBONT turned in a decent showing against good opponents in Tamworth during their opening pre-season workout, writes Tony Poole.
Just one of the three major captures that player-manager Rhys Griffiths has made during the close season was paraded against the National League North club.
Bradley Flay returned to Bont colours while Owain Warlow returned to one of his many former clubs.
Bont were the second leg of a Welsh double header, as earlier Welsh Premiership side Cefn Druids beat Tamworth 3-1.
But it was a different flock of Lambs that skipped out to face Bont, who soon had the lead through Kane Owen.
And what a season’s opening goal it was too with a teasing Owen effort bending around the wall.
The ball clipped a post low down before entering the net to give Griffiths and his merry men a great start to the new campaign.
They continued to lead 1-0 until early in the second half when the Lambs were awarded two penalties in quick succession.
Gibraltar international Reece Styche twice got the better of goalkeeper Rhys Wilson to leave Tamworth Porthcawl Town Athletic in the South-West group.
Pencoed Athletic, who enjoyed a superb season last time around under football guru Mark Powell, will take the long and winding road down to Newcastle Emlyn.
And Cefn Cribwr Boys Club have also been paired away in the West, but in their case it’s only as far as Swansea University.
Switching to the FAW Trophy, only two of the five local clubs involved secured home draws.
Port Talbot & District League FC Porthcawl side will test the temperature against Swansea League side North End at Rest Bay while Garw will be looking for a galloping victory over Port Tennant Colts at Blandy.
Pencoed Athletic head to the Gower Coast to challenge Mumbles Rangers and Swansea is also the destination for Cefn Cribwr Boys Club as they journey to Malsters Sports.
And Llangynwyd Rangers open their FAW Trophy campaign at Swansea League side Rockspur. in the driving seat.
And when John Dodds made it 3-1 in the 63rd minute, it seemed as if the writing was on the wall for Bont.
But they rallied strongly and when substitute Adam Carpenter hammered home a 69th-minute goal, it was game back on.
However, that’s as good as it got for Bont on the day, but as pre-season workouts go, this encounter was worth its weight in gold.
Last night (Tuesday), Penybont were due to host Welsh Premiership newcomers Barry Town Utd; on Saturday they entertain Western League club Cribbs and Merthyr Town head for the Kymco Stadium next Tuesday.
Meanwhile, in the FAW Youth Cup, 67 clubs have entered which is well up on last winter.
Among the newcomers are Garw, who will welcome Cardiff Academicals to Blandy in a South-East opening tie on September 3.
JD Welsh Cup SouthWest Round One Draw (August 19/20): Llangynwyd Rangers v Porthcawl Town Athletic, Newcastle Emlyn v Pencoed Athletic, Swansea University v Cefn Cribwr Boys Club. South-Central: Pontyclun v Garw.
FAW Trophy SouthWest Round One Draw (August 12): Bryn Rovers v Kilvey, Hakin Utd v Bonymaen Colts, South Gower v Morriston Olympic, Rockspur v Llangynwyd Rangers, Malsters Sports v Cefn Cribwr Boys Club, Mumbles Rangers v Pencoed Athletic, Garw v Port Tennant Colts, FC Porthcawl v North End, Ragged School v Cwm Wands, CRC Rangers v Carmarthen Stars, West End Rangers v Merlin’s Bridge, Goodwick Utd v Ynystawe.