Newtown suffer home defeat as Penybont complete comeback

NEWTOWN'S European qualification hopes were dealt a blow as Penybont hit back to seize victory at Latham Park tonight.

Despite the high stakes with both clubs in contention for European qualification this summer the attendance proved a disappointment - perhaps reflective of the evening midweek kick-off time and some second phase fixture tedium among supporters.

Newtown enjoyed a lightning start with Nick Rushton and Lifumpa Mwandwe stretching the visiting defence and led after just two minutes.

Mwandwe steered home from close range after Callum Roberts' volleyed Zeli Ismael's left wing corner onto the foot of the post to give the Robins a dream start at Latham Park.

Penybont threatened after 13 minutes with Shane Sutton heading a dipping right wing cross from Mael Davies away for a corner.

However moments later and the Welsh Cup finalists were level with Shaun McDonald sliding home Kai Whitmore's deep cross from close range with the home defence left rooted and appealing for offside.

The tempo of the match was now set with both sides pressing their claims.

Ryan Sears in action for Newtown against Penybont. Picture by Dave Evans.

However chances were sparse for both sides until the 28th minute when Mwandwe's marauding run ended with him being clattered on the egde of the area but Ismael curled the free-kick over the bar.

Mwandwe continued to pose Newtown's chief threat with Penybont's defence kept on high altert whenever the ex-Shrewsbury Town youngster was in possession.

Meanwhole the Bridgenders also threatened with a dipping 25 yard volley from Evans just going over the bar with 10 minutes remaining of an intriguing first-half affair.

Ryan Sears steered a right wing cross from Craig Williams while Jake Walker released Ismael with a weighted throughball to test Penybont goalkeeper Ashley Morris in the final chance of the half.

Sears was also in action at the other end injury time with a vital tackle on Sam Snaith who had been poised to pull the trigger from six yards.

Fumpa Mwandwe in action for Newtown against Penybont. Picture by Dave Evans.

The second-half saw the Robins dictate the opening stages but the visitors gradually worked a foothold in the game and led when Snaith rose unchallenged to head home a Kai Owen's 54th minute right wing corner.

Billy Borge flashed a header wide moments later and Davies' downward header was smothered by goalkeeper Dave Jones as Penybont came to enjoy their best spell of the game.

Newtown weathered the storm without conceding further as they set about patiently stretching the visiting defence with the passing brand of football which has won so many admirers this season.

However Penybont proved equal and Newtown went into the final quarter of an hour still chasing the game with their comeback hopes further dented by injury to Roberts with 13 minutes left.

Newtown continued plugging away with Henry Cowans' drilled 20 yard effort forcing Morris into a fine diving save.

Penybont also came close to settled the outcome with Davies breaking only to drill onto the foot of the post with Jones recovering to palm Nathan Wood's follow up around the woodwork.

However the Bridgend club had already done enough and left the Severn Valley with their Eurooean hopes enhanced while delivering a potentially fatal blow to Newtown's bid for second place.

NEWTOWN: D Jones, Roberts (Arsan 77), Sears, Sutton, Mwandwe, Rushton, A Williams, Cowans (Breese 86), C Williams, Ismael (Davies 82), Walker. Subs: M Williams, Taylor, Downs, Hughes, Guest.

PENYBONT: Morris, Walsh (Reynolds 73), Owen, Jeffries, Davies, Ahmun (Clutton 53), Wood, Whitmore, Snaith, Borge, MacDonald. Subs: Wilson, Williams, Tweedy, Griffiths, Rogers.