Griffiths roars a warning after champs are shocked
PENYBONT boss Rhys Griffiths roared a defiant warning to everyone else in the JD Cymru Premier Championship Conference after his side became the first team to beat reigning champions Connah’s Quay at home in the league since March 2019.
“If we can win at Connah’s Quay we shouldn’t be scared of anyone,” said Griffiths after his side’s 2-0 triumph at the Deeside Stadium in the first round of the second phase of the competition threw the destination of the title wide open.
It was the first time Penybont had played in the Championship Conference and they picked up where they had left off in the regular season by giving the Nomads a torrid time.
They had been beaten by a single goal on their last visit to North Wales and then held Andy Morrison’s men to a goalless draw on their own patch.
Goals from Kane Owen and Kostya Georgievsky gave Penybont an amazing victory, with skipper Owen opening the scoring from the penalty spot following Daniel Holmes’ foul on Ben Ahmun.
He then struck the post with a free-kick before Georgievsky doubled the lead with 10 minutes to go after being played through by a long throw-in by Mael Davies.
“When you come to play the champions you are well aware you could be two or three goals down by half-time,” added Griffiths.
“Being one goal up was great and we fought and battled for everything in the second half for what I thought was a deserved win.”
The Penybont victory opened the door for The New Saints to move to the top of the table and they did exactly that with a 1-0 win at third-placed Bala Town in what was a first game in charge for new manager Anthony Limbrick.
An early goal from Ryan Brobbel set them up for their first win of the campaign over Bala and the three points took them ahead of the Nomads on a much superior goal difference.
“It was a tough game, but we are pleased to start the second phase with a victory and a clean sheet,” said Limbrick
Barry Town United also won in North Wales as they began their Championship Conference campaign with a 1-0 victory over Caernarfon Town. Substitute Curtis Jemmett-hutson scored his second goal of the season as they won in stoppage time for the second weekend in a row.
In the Play-off Conference, Cefn Druids ended their sevengame losing run with a last-minute winner over Haverfordwest County at The Rock.
Substitute Charley Edge hammered home the winner to make it 2-1 to help his side notch up a first home win since December for the Ancients.
The victory was further good news for the Druids’ hopes of surviving in the top flight after Cardiff Met lost to Flint Town United.
It means they are now only one point behind the students at the bottom of their Conference, while Haverfordwest remain six points clear at the top.
On Friday night, Newtown went to Aberystwyth Town and won 2-1 thanks to goals from Tyrone Ofori and an injury-time strike from Jordan Evans.
They wiped out Marc Williams’ opening goal for the home side.