NATHANIEL CARS
FOOTBALL AFAN LIDO .................... 1 PENYBONT .................... 2
THIS deserved Penybont victory at Afan Lido has given them a great chance of finishing runners-up for a second consecutive season, writes Tony Poole.
Only Haverfordwest County can now overhaul Bont, and it already seems as if the Bluebirds are on a summer holiday.
Llanelli were crowned champions last Saturday and it remains to see whether an FAW Domestic Licence appeal is successful.
If it isn’t and the Bluebirds don’t claim second spot then no-one will be promoted - and Tom Jones squared the ball for Gordon Watt to power the ball home.
But a superb Neil Thomas free kick restored parity while Aled Hughes gave the men from the Welsh capital the lead.
However, the Riders weren’t in arrears for long – Daniel Jenkins latching on to a spiffin Jonny Tiffin free kick to make it 2-2.
And with half time beckoning, another Tiffin free kick proved productive with Watt heading in an eighth goal of the season.
But Clwb Cymric, who held Cefn last month to 1-1 at Penybont, had the game taken away from them early in the second half.
On-song Tom Jones increased the lead with a peach of a shot across exposed goalkeeper Jimmy Hendy. Carmarthen Town will remain in the Welsh Premiership.
Bont boss Rhys Griffiths said: “With the season now complete, I’d like to thank the players who have given everything to produce a season that they can be proud of.
“Goals might not have been achieved, but we now move on to the next season.’’
His 10th goal for the club, following a highprofile midwinter move from Llanharry, took the sting out of the home challenge.
But Cefn refused to wind things down with an 18th goal of the campaign from captain Tom Harris underlining the point.
However, they had another goal in their locker – Jinxy converting a third penalty of the season for 16 goals in all.
Cefn have four remaining games, all at home, and they are set to be staged at the Porthcawl Town ground in Lock’s Lane.
These involve Aber Valley (Saturday), Penrhiwceiber Con Ath (May 5) and FC Cwmaman a week later while a date for the delayed Llantwit Fardre fixture has yet to be announced.
The opening half at Aberavon Beach was an easily forgettable affair with the Bont penalty the only noteworthy event.
It unfolded in the 33rd minute when Cullen Kinsella was taken out by Cai Owens, and Marcus Griffiths obliged from the spot.
His 18th goal of the season made him club top scorer for a second successive time – but this sea- son’s haul was four short of last winter.
On the restart Adam Carpenter twice forced Steve Cann into making decent saves while Nathan Renfree also tested him.
It wasn’t until the 80th minute that Bont doubled the lead with Renfree heading home a slide rule Carpenter corner.
Soon after Bont goal- Darby strike led to the league silverware heading for Cae Gof.
The consolation goal for the Blandy boys was brushed home by Dai Broom while top performances came from Luke Dent, Paul Llewellyn and super store man John Lewis.
Earlier, Cefn inched closer to the title with a 1-1 draw away to Caerau with Philip Darby giving them the lead.
However, they had to settle for a point after Lewis Kingdon levelled for the Riverboaters.
But the Pencoed run in the Nathaniel Cars Open Cup grinded to a halt in the Llynfi Valley, beaten 3-0 at Caerau All Whites.
And multi-talented Cae Gof chief Scott Dryden was on the scoresheet for the Cefn Develop- keeper Rhys Wilson denied Elliot Thomas, but Lido did pull one back close to time.
Though a shot from Joshua Webber from inside the penalty area eluded everyone, it was a case of too little too late.
This also completed a Bont league double over Lido having taken the Kymco Stadium contest, 2-0, back in November. ment team, who lost 2-1 against high-flying Tondu Robins at Rest Bay home of all-conquering FC Porthcawl.
In Division One, Tondu Robins caught Penybont Thirds on the hop during a 3-2 victory at Pandy Park in Aberkenfig.
Matthew SmartySmith shot the Bridgend super club in front with Aaron Harris squaring matters.
However, a goal from polished Pole Rafaela Pacholec gave the visitors a tenuous 2-1 lead at the break.
But the Robins then flew to victory on the back of two goals from Gavin Jenkins.
Finally, Cefn Cribwr Development XI drew 1-1 against Broadlands in Newbridge Fields with Tommy Rees on target for the Riders.