NATHANIEL CARS WELSH LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
PENYBONT boss Rhys Griffiths saw red, as this Kymco Stadium stalemate proved a setback for Monmouthshire side Goytre in their pursuit of the title, writes Tony Poole.
Griffiths went on the hour for retaliating to a challenge in front of assistant referee Lindsay Ann Brown – and at this juncture his side trailed 2-1.
And the Bridgend super club finished the game with just nine men, as Dave Allen was sent off late on for a second bookable offence.
But the Ploughmen won few friends at the Kymco Stadium for constant hassle, and in many ways were fortunate to exit with a point as Bont were the more accomplished side.
The game got off to a dramatic start with the Monmouthshire side taking a fourth-minute lead through Olly Dalton.
They were, however, only ahead for two minutes after a Timmy Georgievsky ball into the box was only partially cleared.
Recent acquisition Ty- ler Roche latched on to loose possession, resulting in the ex-Bluebird beating goalkeeper Giles Cutlan to register a first Bont goal.
Poor defending then almost led to Luke Prosser taking Goyt back in front before the game began to settle down.
During the remainder of the half, Cullen Kinsella and Adam Carpenter both went close for Bont, before an Owain Warlow header dented the cross bar.
It was 1-1 at the break and on the restart; it was the turn of Georgievsky to go close.
But in the 51st minute a comical Dave Allen chal- lenge on Prosser led to Cardiff referee Alex McInch – son of ex-Bridgend Town star Jimmy – awarding the Ploughmen a penalty.
Dan MacDonald hit it past Rhys Wilson in confident fashion and soon after player-manager Griffiths went for his early bath.
But with Bont a man down and a goal down, they still had something left in the tank.
They went close on numerous occasions before mustering a deserved equaliser close to time.
Once more a failure to get the ball away from danger cost the Plough- men a goal – and two points in their title chase.
The ball ran into the path of Kieran Howard, and from 25 metres a glorious shot found the top corner of goalkeeper Cutlan’s net.
His fourth goal of the campaign brought a smile back to the face of club chairman Emlyn Phillips, as it removed the possibility of his new pals exiting with maximum points.
Next up for Penybont are back-to-back Friday night league engagements – away to Taffs Well this Friday and seven days later home to Briton Ferry Llansawel (both matches kick off at 7.30pm).