Penybont still waiting for a first victory in the JD Welsh Premier

PENYBONT aren’t getting the rub of the green at the moment during a debut appearance on the J D Cymru Premiership stage, writes Tony Poole.

Having looked on course to play out a 2-2 draw with Caernarfon Town at The Oval last Saturday, a 90th-minute goal led to the Cofis triumphing 3-2.

It was cruel luck on Rhys Griffiths’s side, who conceded a late free kick 30 metres out that Nathan Craig pumped into the box.

Bont goalkeeper Luke Wilson got a hand on it, but the ball found the cross bar and rebounded back into play for Jay Crowther to nudge it into an unprotected net.

Though the North Wales side dominated for long periods, bottom-placed Bont defended strongly and would have been worthy recipients of a point.

But a one-point return from their opening six league matches has left even more emphasis on them gaining a win over fellow strugglers Airbus UK Broughton when the sides go head-tohead on Saturday at The Kymco Stadium (2.30pm).

Just two points and one place on the league ladder separate the clubs, and a three-point return would not only haul Bont off the bottom rung but also provide them with a morale-boosting first win at this level.

The sides have met twice recently in the Welsh Cup with Bont losing 2-0 away to Airbus on December 7, 2013.

But three years later they returned the complement with Bont triumphing 4-1 at The Kymco Stadium with the goals down to a brace from Marcus Griffiths, player-manager Rhys Griffiths and Owain Warlow.

However, on similar lines to the 6-1 home loss to Bala Town the week before, the Bridgend super club conceded early at The Oval.

The Cofis took a third-minute lead through Leo Smith, but the response from the Bridgend side was tip-top, and they levelled 12 minutes later.

Nathan Wood created room in the box and rifled a firm shot past Alex Ramsay in the home goal to move on to the three-goal mark for the season.

But they were only on terms for a short period of time with the winds of change leading to Jamie Breese heading the home side back in front.

However, towards the end of the half, Bont saw more of the ball and Curtis Hutson forced goalkeeper Ramsay into making a hurried save.

And in the 44 th minute, Hutson got some joy when his first goal of the campaign led to the sides trooping off at half time with a 2-2 scoreline.

During the second period, the theme was very much Caernarfon attacking with Bont defending for all they were worth. But unfortunately their luck ran out close to time, and it proved another fruitless day for the Bridgend super club up in Gogland.