JD WELSH CUP
PENYBONT .................... 1 CARDIFF MET UNIV .... 3
THIS could have been so different if a strike from Penybont player-manager Rhys Griffiths had stood, writes Tony Poole.
While most fans around the ring felt Welsh Premiership title-chasing Cardiff Metropolitan University were the better side, it could have easily been 2-2 approaching the hour mark.
The Archers were without top scorer and danger man Adam Roscrow but another reliable scorer, Eliot Evans, shot them into a 29th-minute lead.
Another defensive blunder led to the Students doubling the lead, and this time it was the turn of Rhys Thomas to score from inside the box.
Goalkeeper Rhys Wilson then rescued Bont with a fine save to deny Charlie Crosby, but on the resumption the Bridgend super club enjoyed a quarter of an hour of bliss.
A 50th-minute Kane Owen free kick honed in on the potent head of player-manager Griffiths, who duly headed past Danny Evans.
But an offside flag was raised, and Bont smiles were soon replaced by frowns.
However, in the 54th minute a shot-cum-cross from Josef Hopkins de- ceived goalkeeper Evans – and suddenly Bont were right back in this thirdround tie.
Three minutes later Kane Owen rattled the cross bar with Evans well beaten while in the 63rd minute, ex-Bluebird Tyler Roche made a club debut from the bench.
The Blaengarw resident, who has recently signed from Gosport Borough in the Evo-Stik South League, made a favourable initial impression in a wide spot on the right.
But the aim of the Archers proved true in the 65th minute when substitute Danny Spencer wriggled free in the box, and hit a bull’s eye after targeting a shot on Wilson’s goal.
Ben Bowler then delivered a bouncer with a shot that Wilson dealt with in fine fashion while close to time Bont went close through both Hopkins and Cullen Kinsella.
But the Bont cup adventure ended a round earlier than last season, and all that’s now left in the season is a lofty finish in Nathaniel Cars Welsh League Division One.
With that in mind, the next three league matches are all away, starting with Monmouth Town this Saturday.
They head for Undy Athletic on Saturday week, and challenge Llanelli Town at Stebonheath Park on December 29 (7.30pm).