JD Cymru Premier round-up | Bala score stoppage time equaliser to hold Penybont
Penybont, currently at the top of the JD Cymru Premier, allowed a late equalizer for the second consecutive match, resulting in a 1-1 draw against Bala Town on Saturday afternoon at the SDM Glass Stadium.
Bont took the lead just four minutes before halftime when 16-year-old Ioan Phillips, in his first league start, scored by putting the ball into an open net after his first shot had been stopped by Joel Torrance.
It seemed like Bont had secured all three points, but in the fourth minute of stoppage time in the second half, Bala pushed forward. The ball found its way to Nathan Burke at the edge of the box, and he sent it into the bottom corner, leaving Adam Przybek with no chance and clinching a dramatic equalizer for the Lakesiders.
Penybont's failure to secure points allowed second-placed Haverfordwest County the opportunity to reduce the distance at the top of the league. However, the Bluebirds were unable to capitalize on this chance, finishing in a 0-0 draw against Caernarfon Town at the LHP Stadium on Saturday evening.
The match offered limited scoring chances, and the clearest one came for Cofis striker Adam Davies in the 88th minute. However, his low shot was denied right on the goal line by Lee Jenkins, preserving Haverfordwest's impressive record of five clean sheets in their last seven games.
After their UEFA Conference League triumph against Astana on Thursday night, The New Saints resumed league play with a 4-2 win against Aberystwyth Town on Sunday.
The Saints started strong at Park Avenue when Liam Walsh brought down Adam Wilson in the penalty area just 20 seconds into the game. Remi Oteh coolly scored the penalty that followed.
Aber managed to level the score halfway through the first half when Harry Arnison's shot slipped under Connor Roberts' arm. However, TNS quickly regained control as Ash Baker scored with a header from a corner taken by Sion Bradley, followed by a strange own goal from Rhys Davies, who mishit a clearance badly. By the time the first half ended, TNS was back in the driver's seat.
The Saints made another defensive mistake, as Jake Canavan failed to execute a strong back pass. This gave Zac Hartley the opportunity to bring Aber back into the match in the 72nd minute. However, the champions secured their win during stoppage time when substitute Declan McManus delivered a powerful header that flew past Dave Jones.
Barry Town United secured their fourth victory in the past five league games, with first-half goals from Josh Yorwerth and Sam Snaith helping them defeat Flint Town United 2-1 at the Essity Stadium on Saturday.
Yorwerth opened the scoring in the 21st minute with a header from a corner taken by Robbie Willmott. The away team quickly extended their advantage with Snaith's goal, as he managed to find the net with a looping header after his first attempt was denied. Just before the break, Callum Sainty came close to adding a third goal for Barry, but his strong shot from inside the penalty area hit the crossbar.
Flint reduced the gap shortly after the hour mark with a well-placed shot from Elliott Reeves, who scored from outside the box. However, the goal was surrounded by controversy because the ball landed at his feet after Florian Yonsian blocked a Barry free-kick from very close range. Linnets manager Steve Jenkins received a red card for his objections, but his team managed to hold on and claim all three points.
Cardiff Met, despite being down to nine players, broke their streak of five league matches without a victory by winning 2-1 against Newtown at home on Friday evening.
Met received a fortunate early goal in the seventh minute when George Hughes accidentally redirected Adam Roscrow's cross into his own goal. However, Newtown quickly equalized just a minute later, with an unguarded Dom Smith scoring effortlessly from a corner taken by Zeli Ismael.
Met were down to ten players just 16 minutes into the match when Jack Veale received a straight red card for a reckless tackle on Josh Lock. However, it was the Archers who took the lead again early in the second half. Eliot Evans capitalized on a quick counter-attack after Zeli Ismail’s free-kick for Newtown hit the post.
Young player Gruffudd Morgan, who was making just his second appearance in the JD Cymru Premier after coming off the bench, received a red card for another reckless tackle in the 89th minute. However, Ryan Jenkins' team managed to hold on and secure their win.
Connah's Quay Nomads secured just their second victory in nine league games by defeating Briton Ferry Llansawel, who are at the bottom of the standings, with a score of 2-1 at the Essity Stadium on Sunday.
Rhys Hughes scored the first goal for the Nomads in the 34th minute with a cross that turned into a shot. Just moments later, Billy Paynter’s team increased their advantage when Noah Edwards struck a loose ball into the top corner after Ferry mishandled Chris Marriott’s cross.
The Reds managed to score when Kian Jenkins found the net with a precise shot in the 67th minute. However, the Nomads successfully defended their lead to secure an important three points, even after Declan Poole received a second yellow card towards the end of the match.
Complete weekend results:
Cardiff Met claimed a 2-1 victory over Newtown, while Barry Town United triumphed over Flint Town United with a score of 2-1. The match between Penybont and Bala Town ended in a draw, 1-1. Haverfordwest County and Caernarfon Town played to a goalless stalemate at 0-0. In an exciting encounter, Aberystwyth Town fell to The New Saints, losing 2-4. Connah’s Quay Nomads secured a 2-1 win against Briton Ferry Llansawel.
