Draw gives Penybont manager Griffiths reason to be cheerful
PENYBONT manager Rhys Griffiths had something to celebrate at the end of his side’s goalless draw with reigning JD Cymru Premier champions The New Saints.
It was the first time in 11 games the unbeaten league leaders had failed to score and the point for the home side moved them up to third in the table to boost their hopes of qualifying for European competition.
But while Griffiths’ men were making life difficult for the top team in the country, their manager had to sit out the final half-hour after picking up his second yellow card.
He incurred the wrath of referee David Morgan for the first time in the 40th minute and got his second on the hour mark. At the same time, his assistant Martyn Giles also saw yellow as their side continued to frustrate the champions.
“We had the better chances and Ryan Brobbel had a great one at the end,” said TNS boss Craig Harrison. “We knew it was going to be tough, but when you get 15 chances in a game you’ve got to take them.”
Joe Malkin came to Connah’s Quay Nomads’ rescue as he scrambled home a 94th-minute goal to complete a remarkable recovery as his side drew 3-3 with Caernarfon Town.
The visitors got off to a flying start, with Fidel O’Rourke heading home at the far post after 10 minutes.
Caernarfon extended their lead five minutes into the second half when Josef Faux hammered home.
Then Tom Marsh-Hughes made it 3-0 with a deft header across goal.
The comeback was started by Ben Nash with a goal from a 64th-minute corner. Then Malkin picked the perfect time to score his first goal for the club when he headed home 10 minutes after coming on as a substitute.
The 24-year-old then struck in time added on to earn his side a point.
Two Jonathan Evans goals secured a fifth consecutive home league victory for Aberystwyth Town as they toppled Pontypridd United 2-1. It took him a mere four minutes to open the scoring.
Ponty skipper Clayton Green got one back, but Evans struck again as his side moved five points clear of the relegation zone.
Newtown powered to a 4-1 win at Flint Town United. Mark Cadwallader gave the Silkmen the lead on the half-hour mark and that’s how things stayed until the interval.
But Newtown hit back as goals from Henry Cowans, Zeli Ismail, Jake Walker and Aaron Williams completed a stunning comeback.
Eliot Evans was the Cardiff Met hero as his 66th-minute penalty earned the students a 1-0 home win over Bala Town.
Two late goals gave Haverfordwest a 2-1 win at Airbus UK Broughton.
Finley Savage gave the Wingmakers a 33th-minute lead, with Ben Fawcett levelling in the 75th minute.
Jordan Davies struck the winner five minutes from time.