Penybont FC
Bryntirion Park
Llangewydd Road
Bridgend
CF31 4JU
01656 652702
Ground Number: 1126
Saturday 22nd October 2022
Penypont 0-1 Connah's Quay Nomads
Saturday 22nd October 2022
Penypont 0-1 Connah's Quay Nomads
Cymru Premier
PENYBONT FC - A BRIEF HISTORY
The current club was established in 2013, following a merger between Bridgend Town and Bryntirion Athletic. They started out in the Welsh League D1 which was where both of the teams that created the new club played. They opted to play on the site of Bryntirion following the sale of Bridgend's old ground to supermarket giant ASDA. The ground was upgraded and refurbished, with a 3G pitch being installed. This led to the club playing a long string of away games as the pitch was not ready in time. They eventually finished a credible 3rd in their debut season, going one better in 2017 as they finished as runners-up to Barry Town United. They were finally champions in 2019 and have played in the Cymru Premier ever since. Their best finish was 4th during the 2020/21 season but they look set to beat that this season as things stand. Penybont reached the final of the Welsh Cup last season, losing 3-2 to TNS at the Cardiff City Stadium.
The more prominent of the two former clubs was Bridgend Town. They were formed in 1920 and spent time in the Southern League in the 1920s and between 1977 & 1983. They were Southern League champions in 1980. Back then, the league was split into two regional divisions. Bridgend won the Midland Division and then beat Dorchester Town 5-1 over two legs to win the championship playoff match. In Wales, their best league finish was as Welsh League Champions in 1969 & 1973. Cup highlights included two Welsh Cup semi-finals and the FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round in 1979 where they lost in a replay to Hungerford Town. In the FA Trophy, they played my team Wycombe Wanderers in 1977, narrowly losing 1-0. They continued to play in the FA Trophy whilst members of the Welsh League and this was when they made their best progress - reaching the 2nd Round in 1986, losing 1-0 at Worthing. They also won the Welsh League Cup in 1988.
Bridgend Town originally played at Coychurch Road, staying until 2006 when the land was sold to ASDA. Temporary homes were found at the University of Glamorgan, Porthcawl and Bridgend Ravens Rugby Club. When the merger came about in 2013, they decamped to Bryntirion Athletic's Bryntirion Park which has been known under various guises due to sponsorship reasons. Bryntirion Athletic FC was established in 1956 and spent most of its life in the lower Welsh Leagues They came to prominence in 2002 when they won the South Wales Amateur League. Promotion to the Welsh League followed and they won Division 3 in 2004 and finished 3rd in Division 2 the following season. Promotion to the second-tier Division 1 followed and they won the title in 2010. However, their facilities were not up to scratch. Other honours included reaching the Welsh League Cup final in 2008 & 2013.
I was originally heading to Wales on the National Express for the first time on 10th September, a rare happy Sunday for me as I was off work. However, a few days before, a huge spanner was thrown in the works when the Queen died and the whole country went completely bonkers. None less so than the football authorities who cancelled every single game 'out of respect' whilst other sports carried on. I'd already booked tickets, but happily National Express allowed me to amend the tickets for free. My next free Saturday was this one, some six weeks later, so this was as good a date as any. I'd originally intended to do Penybont on that Sunday, instead, I headed to Belgium instead to escape the country. The late switch cost me a fair bit, but it was a good time. Fellow hopper Colin was coming with me and as he was keen to complete the Cymru Premier, we decided to stick with our original destination. Haverfordwest looked a bit nicer, but with it being tucked down right in the west of Wales, it was logistically impossible.
I started my planning on Wednesday night, with me having planned almost everything. It was disappointing to see a lack of real cider pubs in Bridgend, but it was still going to be a good day out. All the interesting and quirky places were some way out of Cardiff and so I doubted we would have time to go anywhere decent. Perhaps a good thing, more incentive to go to Cardiff on my own for an explore, as Colin doesn't drink. Thursday saw me walk up to my local club Holmer Green for their Allied Counties Youth League game against Slough Town. The visitors were a class above and won 5-0, but some great football was played. The night before saw me have a few drinks to unwind after a week at work, but I've been fairly happy there in recent times. Aside from people asking for 'Prime' all the time - an energy drink created by two YouTubers - the back-to-front named Logan Paul and KSI - the Icelandic FA in my book. I had a fairly early night in the end, what with being up before 6 am.
My alarm went off at 5.50 and I was up fairly swiftly, at least compared to a work day. There was no time for breakfast and I was parked up by Amersham Station at 6.30. I met Colin and we got the 6.36 Chiltern Line train. The underground in Central London was very busy for this time of day. We were at Victoria coach station 40 minutes in advance. That too was busy and our coach was sold out, so I was glad I had Colin with me. Breakfast was a decent cheese and jalapeño roll from a shop near our coach. Though not as good as the lamb version, it was still good. We left bang on time at 8.30 and due to an altered route, went past High Wycombe an hour later. It's a real shame that no coaches go from there as it would be super convenient.
Due to bad traffic delays, we got into Cardiff 40 minutes late. I was hoping this wouldn't be the case later as getting home would become problematic. It was a pleasant 20-minute walk into Cardiff and then a trip on a busy train to Bridgend. With Colin's disabled railcard it was only £4.15 return, although the standard £6.30 fare was a bargain compared to the prices the scammers the other side of the border. We were in Bridgend at 1.25 and paid the local Wetherspoons a visit. The Wymondham Arms was packed and so we couldn't get a table for food. Instead, we had a drink before heading to the ground. We paid £7 for entry and I also got a bacon cheeseburger for £4.
This was a real top-of-the-table clash with Penybont sitting third and Connah's Quay in second. The hosts were unbeaten in five games. They'd won 3-0 at basement boys Airbus UK and also beaten Aberystwyth Town 3-1 in the league where they'd also drawn 1-1 against Pontypridd and 1-1 at Flint Town United. They'd also won 5-1 at Rosca United in the Welsh Cup. The visitors were in even better form, having won seven games in a row. In their latest game, they had beaten Ruthin Town 2-0 in the Welsh Cup and had beaten Cardiff Met Uni by the same scoreline in their last league game. Their only three defeats in the league had come during an indifferent start to the season - 2-0 at Cardiff Met Uni, 2-1 at TNS and 2-1 at Aberystwyth. It was a dull opening period, the first incident of note was the sending off of Penybont's Daniel Jefferies for a bad tackle. Penybont hit the post following a free kick. Finally, the opening goal came on 73 minutes, an attack down the right, the post was hit and Mike Hayes followed up from close range. Up until then, it had been a tedious encounter, Connah's Quay doing nothing of note with the majority of possession, Penybont had the two best chances up to that point. The goal opened the game up and forced Penybont into attacking and they started to come close. Penybont were awarded a last-minute penalty, however, Nathan Wood's spot kick was brilliantly saved by visiting keeper Andy Firth. It's just a shame that Penybont didn't start attacking earlier as Connah's Quay looked vulnerable when they did.
Great last minute save by the Connah's Quay keeper as they win 1-0 at Penybont. pic.twitter.com/Iv722B5NNG
— ⚽Russell Cox💙 (@RussWWFC) October 22, 2022
It wasn't the greatest experience. Again, traffic had screwed us over and it wasn't as relaxed a day as it could have been. Also they were unable or unwilling to sell Colin a pin badge. I'd have got a notebook and pen too but instead I just saved myself a few quid. It was a rainy walk back to the station but at least we had the good news of Wycombe winning at Milton Keynes to digest. We were there at 5.10 and had twenty minutes wait for the train. We were in Cardiff just after 6 and headed to the Prince of Wales Wetherspoons. Again, tables were at a premium but we got fixed up with one and I was able to order a Black Dragon and a chicken strips basket. Service was excellent given it was rammed. The day finally started to feel good. I was in good spirits as I headed to the coach stop. From there, who knows what, reports of a closure on the M4 put our trip home in doubt, but come what may. The coach was deserted with only about five people on it. One of the passengers was great company on our trip East.
THE GROUND
THE SDM GLASS STADIUM is set in a pleasant valley and is very scenic. To meet the ground grading, a few metal stands have been put in and these probably total around 300 seats. They kept the fans dry and did their job but are a bit ubiquitous almost everywhere. Food is provided by a burger van, these were tasty and well-priced. The bar is fairly basic but has plenty of club stuff on display. The club shop offers a decent range but it's difficult to purchase stuff. Parking is plentiful and the town and main station are around half an hour's walk away.
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