Penybont 1-0 Colwyn Bay: Pritchard Seizes Opportunity

Penybont’s perfect start to the Cymru Premier season survived a bruising afternoon and a late Colwyn Bay surge, as Rhys Griffiths’ side ground out a 1-0 win to climb into sixth.

It was anything but straightforward.

The hosts lost both high-profile summer signings, Jonathan Leko and Ryan Hill, inside the opening 20 minutes, the early optimism around the ground briefly replaced by concern and reshuffled plans. Griffiths had to turn to his bench far earlier than expected.

That change won him the game.

Just after the half-hour, substitute Owain Pritchard seized on a costly mistake from visiting goalkeeper Mark Halstead. A loose touch in the box invited pressure, and Pritchard reacted first, snapping up the chance from close range to fire Penybont in front.

The goal jolted Colwyn Bay, and for a spell the home side sensed they could put the contest to bed. The pressure almost told when veteran forward Chris Venables, still a menace in the final third, rose to meet a cross and crashed his effort against the crossbar. Inches lower and Penybont would have had daylight.

They didn’t get it, and that kept Bay alive.

After the break, the visitors grew into the contest and began to pin Penybont back. Young goalkeeper Daniel Higgs was forced to step up, and he did. He stood firm to deny Callum Bratley and then Ethan Roberts as the away side chased an equaliser with increasing urgency.

Crosses rained in, second balls dropped in dangerous areas, and the tempo climbed. Penybont, though, dug in. Blocks, clearances, and a few nervy moments later, the whistle finally went.

A single Pritchard strike, a clean sheet for Higgs, and an unbeaten record intact. Penybont have taken some early blows this season, literally and figuratively, but they are still standing – and climbing.