Penybont turn up heat on rivals in chase for title

THE Nathaniel Cars Welsh League First Division title race is coming to a boil nicely and Rhys Griffiths’ Penybont are the latest club to turn up the heat on their promotion rivals.

On Tuesday, the Bridgend side played Cwmamman United at the Kymco Stadium and made it six points in four days after coming from 1-0 down at half-time to secure victory through an own-goal and a Marcus Griffiths penalty.

That made it 10 goals in their last two games after thumping a lack-lustre Ton Pentre last Saturday 8-0, with Marcus Griffiths again among the goals with a hat-trick, along with strikes from Adam Carpenter (2), Kane Owen (2) and James Parry.

There are three teams from the Welsh League who have applied for promotion. Haverfordwest, Llanelli and Penybont.

The scenario is winning the league gains you automatic promotion, but if the champions don’t meet the criteria, then the second-placed club can still join the top flight.

Before the weekend’s fixtures start, there are four points between the top four clubs, with Afan Lido getting the first chance to go top when they host Briton Ferry in Aberavon this evening.

Current table-toppers Haverfordwest entertain Penybont tomorrow in the division’s game of the day.

Llanelli, still the bookies’ favourite to lift the crown, have a tricky away fixture at Monmouth Town, where the availability of talisman Lee Trundle could be key.

Cambrian and Clydach travel to Goytre United on the back of an excellent 3-0 home victory against current top dogs Haverfordwest last Saturday, where Richard French weighed in with a brace and Liam Reed also found the net.

That result sends Craig Hughes’ team in a confident mood to Glanford Park against Lee John’s Goytre, who were defeated last Friday by Briton Ferry.

Port Talbot are on home soil and welcome Taffs Well to the GenQuip Stadium for a mid-table shoot-out.

At the foot of the table, there is a proverbial six-pointer at Cwrt y Ala, in Ely, where Craig Sampson’s Caerau play host to Kevin Richards’ Ton Pentre.

Caerau’s last home game was a fortnight ago and they secured a great point against Penybont, and another performance like that might be too much for the struggling Bulldogs.

STM Sports’ 1-0 reverse against Risca last Friday evening was the only game of the weekend in Division Two last week where inclement weather was the big winner.

Dale Gardener’s St Mellons-based team will get the chance to put things right tomorrow at Llanrumney University where they play Ammanford.

Title-seeking Pontypridd welcome West End, from Swansea, looking to sustain their challenge for honours.

Dinas Powys are on the road to Porth, who are still without a point after 15 games, so Ben Luck’s team will want and expect a victory to aid their survival bid.

Llantwit Major are nine points off top spot with four games in hand, so if they keep winning they should be involved in the end-of-season shakeup at the top.

Llantwit are on home soil to Pontardawe tomorrow.

In Division Three, Trethomas Bluebirds kick-off the weekend at home this evening against Tredegar Town.

The Bluebirds recorded a 3-1 victory last Friday at Newport City to put themselves up to fifth in the table.

Bridgend Street are still keeping tabs on the top two in the table Trefelin and Swansea University.

Craig Dale’s team host Pontyclun tomorrow at The Willows in what could be a difficult game for the promotion hopefuls.

Ely Rangers are at Station Road and will look to make it two home wins in a row after beating Treowen 3-1 a fortnight ago.

Mid-table Panteg are their next visitors.

Treharris Athletic host Chepstow Town at their Athletic Ground.