Penybont get a shock as they open Phase Two
THEY may only have been moved up into the Championship Conference this week, but Caernarfon Town made a major impact in their opening game in Phase Two of the JD Cymru Premier League as they thumped Penybont 3-0 at the SDM Glass Stadium.
Rising to the challenge afforded them by the 18 point deduction applied to reigning champions Connah’s Quay Nomads for playing two ineligible players, they took the lead with a Darren Thomas goal in the 15th minute. Mike Hayes made it 2-90 at the break with a 37th minute strike and then added a second five minutes from time to complete a magnificent victory.
In the Play-Off Championship, Cardiff Met and Connah’s Quay played out a goalless draw, while Barry Town United’s miserable run continued as they slumped to a 1-0 home defeat to relegation rivals Haverfordwest County.
Alhagi Touray Sisay put the visitors ahead two minutes into the second half and then the Linnets had Jordan Cotterill sent-off in the 70th minute to make their job even harder.
Pontypridd Town ended a run of five games without a win by beating Taffs Well 3-1 to stay in the fight for the title in the JD Cymru South.
Sam Johnson gave them a 15th minute lead before an own goal from Scott Hillman doubled the lead before the break. Jordan Knott then extended the lead in the second half before Jan Maertens grabbed a consolation effort for the home team.
But while the win stopped the rot for Ponty, it didn’t help them to close the gap on league leaders Llantwit Major who had a first half goal from Conner Goldsworthy to thank for their hard-fought 1-0 home win over Carmarthen Town.
That was enough to keep them seven points clear of Ponty, with Briton Ferry Llansamlet a further four points back after their 1-0 home win over Ammanford. It was a Keiran Williams goal that earned them victory, while Cambrian & Clydach Vale’s 6-0 win at Port Talbot brought them into the promotion picture.
Liam Reed scored two of the goals for the visitors as they romped to victory and moved level on 44 points with Briton Ferry. Goytre United lost out on the chance to move into third when they were beaten 1-0 to an Andrew Hewitt goal for Cwmbran Celtic.