PENYBONT boss Rhys Griffiths roared a defiant warning 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 into the melting pot.
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.
No wonder, then, that Morrison claimed in the build up Penybont were the most improved team in the league. Goals either side of the half from Kane Owen and Kostya Georgievsky gave Penybont an amazing victory and immediately put them on the front foot in the race for a top-three finish to clinch a ticket into Euroepan competition.
Penybont skipper Owen opened 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.
“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,” added Griffiths.
Penybont's 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 ex-Woking boss Limbrick.
Barry Town United were also away winners in north Wales as they began their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Caernarfon Town at The Oval. Substitute Curtis Jemmett-Hutson scored his second goal of the season as they won in stoppage time for a second weekend in a row.
In the Play-Off Conference, Cefn Druids ended their seven-game losing run with a last-minute winner over Haverfordwest County. Caretaker manager Jayson Starkey would have been delighted to see sub Charley Edge hammer home the winner to make it 2-1.
As well as being a first home win since December for the Ancients, it was also a first for Starkey. Niall Flint gave them the lead and then Danny Williams levelled it.
The victory was further good news for the Druids hopes of surviving 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 stay six points clear at the top.
On Friday night, Newtown beat Aberystwyth Town 2-1 thanks to goals from Tyrone Ofori and a late strike from Jordan Evans which wiped out Marc Williams' opener for the home side.
