Welcome to the latest installment of the Gloucester Groundhopper blog.
For this chapter, we headed across the border to Wales for a taste of the Welsh Premier League. In this game, Penybont FC took on league winners The New Saints at the SDM Glass Stadium.
It's All In The Name:
The name Penybont derives from the Welsh language and means "Bridge's head".
Some Notable People From Bridgend:
Ruth Jones-Actress
Huw Edwards- Journalist
Gerald Battrick- Tennis Player
Aneurin Barnard- Actor
Bullet For My Valentine- Band
A History Lesson From AFC Finners
Bridgend Town were founded in the early 1920s and competed in the Welsh section of the Southern League. Despite finishing sixth, fourteenth, and fourth, the team disbanded.
The club re-emerged in the 1960's, competing in the Welsh League, and won Division 2 East in their first season. The club won the Welsh league in 1969 and again four years later, by which time the club's name had changed to Everwarm FC due to sponsorship from the same name local central heating company.
Bridgend reached the Welsh Cup semi-finals in 1976/1977, losing to Cardiff City. Bridgend returned to the Southern League the following season and was promoted to the Southern Premier Division. Bridgend were crowned overall Southern League champions in 1979/1980 after winning the Midland Division and defeating Dorchester Town 5-1 in the Championship play-off.
Bridgend returned to the Welsh pyramid in 1983, finishing second in the National Division twice. Following relegation to the Welsh League First Division and then the Second Division, the club was promoted back to the First Division in 2002/2003, where they have remained ever since.
Bridgend rejoined the Welsh pyramid in 1983, finishing second twice in the National Division. Following relegation to the Welsh League First Division and then the Second Division, the club was promoted back to the First Division in 2002/2003 and has remained there ever since.
The club's most recent match was a 0-0 draw with Pontardawe Town.
In 2013, it was announced that the club would merge with local rivals Bryntirion Athletic to form Pen-y-Bont, gaining access to £1,000,000 in funding.
Penybont was established in 2013. Their first season ended with a third-place finish in the Welsh Football League Division One. They would join the Welsh top flight after a few years of preparing their facilities and applications to join Cymru Premier, after winning division one. In 2022, they reached the Welsh Cup final, where they were defeated 3-2 by The New Saints. Penybont have remained in this division ever since, and they are hopeful of progressing to the top of Welsh football.
Honours
🏆 Southern Football League (Winners: 1979–80) (as Bridgend Town)
🏆 Welsh Football League Division One (Winners: 1968–69, 1972–1973) (as Bridgend Town); 2010–2011) (as Bryntirion Athletic); 2018–19 (as Penybont) (Runners-up: 1975–76) (as Everwarm); 1976–77, 1984–85, 1985–86) (as Bridgend Town)
🏆 Welsh Football League Division Two (Winners: 1996–97)(as Bridgend Town)
🏆 Welsh Football League Division Three (Winners: 2003–04) (as Bryntirion Athletic)
🏆 Welsh Cup (Runners-up: 2021–22)
🏆 Welsh Football League Cup (Winners: 1987–88) (as Bridgend Town) (Runners-up: 1998–99) (as Bridgend Town); 2007–08, 2012–13) (as Bryntirion Athletic)
Matchday: Penybont 2-5 The New Saints
We travelled to Penybont on a warm, spring morning as we searched for another game full of goals, We arrived in Bridgend in good time, and decided to have a look around the town centre. We parked in a car park by Wilkinsons then had a leisurely stroll around the town, looking in a variety of charity shops, seeing the old bridge, looking in a comic book store and ambling around the market. After all this, we went to the stadium.
Arriving at the stadium, we took advantage of the free parking that was available there. We then took ourselves into the clubhouse that was showing the early kickoff. This time: Celtic vs Rangers. They did have a few rolls available in there, including cheese and onion, cheese and chicken tikka. We then went into the stadium. There was an issue with entry in some regard. It appears that the club don't take card on the turnstile, so we had to double back on ourselves and ask to pay at the bar. They seemed somewhat confused by this request when it came round to it, and they then said it was easier to give cashback instead. In the end, we managed to get into the ground.
There is a food van at the ground. They sold a variety of burgers and bacon rolls, which were all reasonably priced. The only complaint I would have is there were a lack of vegetarian options. It's not hard to purchase a pack of veggie burgers from the local shop. The food that was on offer tasted fine, so no complaints in that regard. The lady in the van was lovely and really personable, which was a bonus. Following on from this, everyone we encountered was friendly. I can't say that they were really chatty, but I guess that's just the way it goes sometimes. All we ask for is a hospitable environment and that's what we were given, so we cant complain.
The atmosphere was lacking to be honest. There were a few Penybont fans that made a bit of noise every now and then, but apart from that there was nothing. What shocked me was the lack of celebration when The New Saints scored. It was like a friendly game as it was complete silence every single time. The atmosphere was really positive though, and all noise that was made was positive and supportive to the team which was great to see.
Teamsheet
Penybont FC
Manager: Rhys Griffiths
Alex Pennock
Mark Little
Kane Owen (c)
Mael Davies
Lewis Harling
Nathan Wood ⚽️
Keyon Reffell ⚽️
Josh Yorwerth
Lewis Clutton
Ryan Reynolds
Shaun Macdonald
Substitutes
Kelland Absalom
Sam Snaith
Kai Whitmore
Billy Borge
Jak Carson
Eduardo Bregua
Jack Shaw
The New Saints
Manager: Craig Harrison
Connor Roberts
Danny Davies ⚽️
Josh Pask
Ryan Astles
Chris Marriott (c)
Daniel Williams
Jon Routledge
Daniel Redmond ⚽️
Josh Daniels
Declan McManus ⚽️ ⚽️
Ryan Brobbel
Substitutes
Jack Edwards
Adrian Cieslewicz
Blaine Hudson
Jordan Williams
Leo Smith
Ash Baker ⚽️
Gwion Dafydd
The game was intensely competitive, with Penybont regularly outplaying The New Saints. Connor Roberts made a fantastic save to deny Lewis Clutton with only six minutes remaining. Then, on the edge of the box, Josh Pask's block ensured the score remained 0-0 at that point. The New Saints, however, were the first to score. Declan McManus chipped the goalkeeper after being played in by Ryan Brobbel to give The New Saints a 1-0 lead. McManus provided the assist, and Danny Redmond scored seven minutes later to double the lead.
Penybont were back in it ten minutes into the second period when Keyon Reffell's shot was saved, but his rebound beat Roberts in the area. The New Saints then scored three within ten minutes. First, a cutback found Ash Baker, who fired a close-range shot. After some poor defending, Declan McManus was played in and shot into an open goal. The ball was then played into Danny Davies, who fired low into the far bottom corner. Nathan Wood finished well after a cross from the right for Penybont to score again. However, it was too little, too late to even consider a comeback, and the game ended 5-2 in favour of The New Saints.
Scores On The Doors
Atmosphere: 6/10
Food and Drink: 6/10
Stadium: 5/10
Welcome: 8/10
Overall Experience: 7.5/10
GG
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