Newtown outclassed and outfought by classy Penybont

The Robins paid the price for an awful opening and never looked likely of getting back in the game as ex-Caersws and Welshpool Town star Chris Venables dominated.

The dye was case early with Venables' left wing cross headed into the danger area on the far post by Keyon Reffell for Gabriel Kirkcough to drill past Andy Wycherley from eight yards inside the opening six minutes.

It got worse on 18 minutes when Kane Owen's deflected left wing cross was met on the far post by Venables to head home via the woodwork.

Newtown fans were heading for the exit just after the half hour mark with Owen's left wing corner finding its way to Venables to steer home from close range.

Penybont's Chris Venables doubles his sides advantage during the 2023/24 Cymru Premier Playoff Semi Final between Newtown AFC and Penybont at Latham Park, Newtown, Wales (Pic by Nik Mesney/FAW)

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Chris Venables scores his second and Penybont's third goal of the first half during the 2023/24 Cymru Premier Playoff Semi Final between Newtown AFC and Penybont at Latham Park, Newtown, Wales (Pic by Nik Mesney/FAW).

Newtown managed to see out the remainder of the half without sustaining any further damage but with their European qualification hopes over.

Newtown's defending was akin to Sunday League as Venables waltzed into the area before cutting back for Kirkough to slot home from close range on 66 minutes.

Penybont hammered the final nail into Newtown's coffin on 74 minutes with Mark Little surging from his own half to drill past Wycherley and book a final date at Caernarfon Town.

Newtown's Louis Robles during the 2023/24 Cymru Premier Playoff Semi Final between Newtown AFC and Penybont at Latham Park, Newtown, Wales (Pic by Nik Mesney/FAW)

Newtown: Wycherley, Jones (Ismael 46), Roberts, Sutton, Sears (Downs 76), Evans (Mwandwe 66), Robles, Williams (Oswell 75), Cowans, Hughes, D Smith. Subs: Ussher, Sharp.

Penybont: Przybek, Little (Ware 78), Owen, Evans (Reynolds 77), Jefferies, Davies, Harling, Venables (Griffiths 78), Borge, Kirkcough (Richards 70), Reffell (McFayden 70). Subs: Harris, Phillips.