BONT MAKE TWO KEY NEW SIGNINGS
PENYBONT last week bolstered defensive options in signing Lewis Clutton and Connor Davies. Clutton, from Caldicot, who celebrated his 19th birthday last Monday, had been with Bristol Rovers since he was just eight years old.
Capped by Wales at U16, U17 and U19 levels, he had been on loan since last January at Tier Seven level with Southern League Premier South club Salisbury FC.
However, his contract with the EFL League One side expired in June, and they opted out of renewing it.
It remains to be seen where Bont boss Rhys Griffiths chooses to play Clutton, as he possesses an ability to slot in to either a defensive role or in the centre of midfield.
Davies, who was born in Aberdare, is also just 19 years of age, and is classed as an attacking right-back.
He was snapped up by Cardiff City at the age of 14, and last year then Bluebirds manager Neil Warnock awarded him a professional contract.
It resulted in Davies going out on a season-long loan with another Southern League Premier South club – Weston-super-Mare.
But Cardiff City then released him back in June and on similar lines to Clutton, he is now looking to impact in the J D Cymru Premiership next winter with Penybont.
These form the seventh significant pre-season signings that Bont chief Griffiths has made.
It began back in June when goalkeeper Ashley Morris, who arrived on loan at the SDM Glass Stadium midway through last season from Bala Town, was signed on a permanent basis.
He was quickly followed by four players who are set to pep up the Bont front-line in Ian Traylor (Merthyr Town), Mael Davies (Cardiff Metropolitan University), Ben AhMun (STM Sports) and Sam Snaith (Coastal Carolina University).
Penybont, who last weekend played Cardiff City Academy in a behind closed doors friendly, unveiled the signings in a brief message last Friday via their official Twitter account.
“We’re delighted to announce the signings of Lewis Clutton and Connor Davies for the new season - welcome to the Bont.”
But if results last week are anything to go by then these new recruits are timely, as next season’s J D Cymru Premiership is potentially going to be even more competitive.
Newly promoted Haverfordwest County opened up with a 3-1 victory in a pre-season clash at Cardiff Metropolitan University, and followed it up last Saturday with another away win, this time 2-1 over Aberystwyth Town.
In addition to that came the eye-catching Europa League wins achieved by both Bala Town and The New Saints.
Bala, who in the curtailed season of 2019/20 finished third, made club history in winning 1-0 in Malta over Valletta FC – Chris Venables getting the 38th-minute winner – while TNS triumphed 3-1 in extra time over Slovak Republic side MSK Zilina.
These results boosted the prestige of the league, resulting in both Bala and TNS now looking forward to the second round of Europa League action later in the month.
Meanwhile, Cymru Premiership fixtures were unveiled last week with Penybont opening their campaign on Saturday week at Caernarfon Town.
Ironically, on the corresponding weekend last term the Bridgend club were also at The Oval, going down to a 3-2 defeat, and Caernarfon are already relenting the fact their second visit to the ground of the Bridgend side will be minus supporters.
The remaining opening round of fixtures on Sept 12 involve Aberystwyth Town v Cardiff Metropolitan University, Barry Town Utd v TNS, Flint Town Utd v Newtown and Haverfordwest County v Cefn Druids which all kick-off at 2.30 while the S4C football programme Sgorio is screening live Connah’s Quay Nomads v Bala Town (5.45pm).
The opening game for Bont at the SDM Glass Stadium comes three days later against Aberystwyth Town (7.45pm), and they then head to defending champions Connah’s Quay Nomads on Sunday September 20.
The remaining September fixtures involve a home game with Bala Town (Sunday 27th), and away to Cardiff Metropolitan University (Weds 30th).
But while plans are well in hand for FAW top-tier clubs, that certainly isn’t the case at grass-roots level.
Frustration in being unable to even stage any friendly matches is fast turning to anger with many clubs making it known that disenchanted players are already walking away from the game.
And a statement last week from Welsh Government First Minister Mark Drakeford failed to quell grievances.
When questioned on why elite Cymru Premiership clubs can commence campaigns while grass-roots clubs can only train, he gave his thoughts on Welsh Government thinking.
“As soon as it’s possible to reopen parts of the football season, and different leagues in Wales then we’ll do so.
“When the Cymru Premiership resumes, it has all the resources to draw on along with the regulated nature of the setting in which they operate.
“None of that is true with regard to some parts of grass-roots where there isn’t a structure that can be relied on to be confident the activity can be resumed in a way that doesn’t put players, fans and officials at risk.
“When it’s safe, then we’ll resume activities, but it won’t be done before then.
“We will, however, draw up plans over the coming weeks with clubs.
“The approach in Wales throughout the coronavirus pandemic has been to plan first and then announce it – not make an announcement and then wonder how it’s going to be possible to make it happen.’’
But this cautious approach from the Welsh Government continues to be in stark contrast to what’s unfolding in England on the football scene at lower levels.
Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston has already announced that clubs in England at Tier Seven (National League North & South) downwards can stage matches – and he took it a step further in allowing fans to attend.
And with infection-rates in Wales remaining low and attendances at grass-roots seldom approaching treble figures, it isn’t hard to see why small clubs are so miffed at the no games and no fans scenario.
Despite all that, there remains plenty of transfer activity on the Bridgend football scene with South Wales Alliance champions Pencoed Ath and Cefn Cribwr last week leading the way with significant new arrivals.
Pencoed last week completed the transfer of highly rated Llangeinor player William Jones, who is equally at home at the back or in midfield.
He’s the son of former Pontycymer RFC captain and centre Andrew while his uncle Christiaan Jones for many years formed the cornerstone of the Aberavon pack.
Equally noteworthy is the arrival of Davey Lavers, who burst on to the senior scene as a teenager with Bryntirion Ath, before opting to play on the Bridgend & District League scene.
And Cefn Cribwr chief Scott Dryden was delighted to obtain the signature of much travelled midfield ace Rhys Jordan from Llantwit Major.
Jordan, son of football guru Nigel, has previously taken in spells with Penybont, Caerau and Garw.