Newtown 1 Penybont 0

NEWTOWN overcame the challenge of South Wales League One side Penybont to progress to the third round of the Nathaniel MG Cup on Tuesday night.

Manager Chris Hughes rang the changes with several fringe players handed a chance to impress.

The tactic paid dividends in a positive start as Alex Fletcher volleyed wide in the early stages before Ethan Jones warmed the palms of goalkeeper Rhys Wilson.

From the resulting corner Jay Denny’s header was handled by a Penybont defender with Jones slotting home the resulting penalty at the second attempt after Wilson parried his initial effort.

The Bridgend visitors were dealt a blow when player-manager Rhys Griffiths came off injured with his youthful charges struggling to impose themselves against a Newtown side dominant in midfield with Denny and Fletcher pulling the strings.

However despite dominating possession the home side struggled to penetrate the visitors defence.

Newtown started the second-half on top with Steve Leslie releasing Jones who was denied by Wilson

Penybont enjoyed a spell of pressure midway through the half with the Robins struggling to get out of their half.

Having rode out the pressure the hosts should have settled the tie with 15 minutes remaining only for Leslie’s shot to be cleared off the line and seconds later substitute Nick Rushton’s right wing cross was headed over the bar by Sam Phillips.

Penybont pressed for an equaliser with home goalkeeper Jack Perry called upon.

Perry gathered a fierce drive from Luke Borrelli and moments later produced the save of the night to deny Borrelli from close range as the Robins held out for victory.

NEWTOWN: Perry, Williams, Mills-Evans, Goodwin, Roberts, Denny, Fletcher, Harries, Phillips, E Jones (Kenton), Boundford (Rushton). Subs: Leslie, Bailey, Evans, D Jones.