Match Preview: Penybont vs Bala Town

The search for three points remains for the Lakesiders with four defeats in our last four in the JD Cymru Premier, as we take on a Penybont side in similar form since the split.

It was a 2-0 defeat in the last outing for the Town, with The New Saints taking the spoils after a goal in each half through Leo Smith and Jordan Williams, as the Saints plough on to another inevitable JD Cymru Premier crown.

The Bont have faced similar difficulties since the split with no wins in their last four, and are now in a fight to keep their 2nd place spot with Haverfordwest County looking to pip the side from Bridgend to the runners up place.

The Match

Penybont vs Bala Town

JD Cymru Premier MD27 - Championship Conference

SDM Glass Stadium, Llangewydd Road, Bridgend CF31 4RH

Saturday 8th March, 2:30pm kick-off 

Insight into our opponents

Form:

(A) Caernarfon Town 3-2 - JD Cymru Premier MD26

(H) The New Saints 4-0 - JD Cymru Premier MD25

(H) Haverfordwest County 0-0 - JD Cymru Premier MD24

(A) Cardiff Met 2-1 - JD Cymru Premier MD23

(A) Newtown 1-2 - JD Cymru Premier MD22

(H) Connah's Quay Nomads 1-0 - JD Cymru Premier MD21

Danger Man

James Crole: The former Cardiff City Forward has had a bright first season in the JD Cymru Premier so far, with nine league goals in 25 appearances to his name, having also netting a singular goal in the Nathaniel MG Cup. Crole's scoring exploits has seen him rise to the top of Penybont's goal scoring chart with the ever present Chris Venables just one goal behind the 21 year old. The Forward's last outing would see him net a brace in a 3-2 defeat to Caernarfon Town at the Oval.

Previous Meetings  

The last meeting between the two sides would end in a 1-1 draw at the SDM Glass Stadium, as Ioan Phillips' first half goal was cancelled out by Nathan Burke's 94th minute equaliser as the Town snatched a point. The reverse fixture at Maes Tegid would end in defeat for the Lakesiders despite leading in the first half, as a George Newell red card would evidently change the match with Penybont going on to score two goals in the first 20 minutes of the second half. The Town's last victory in this fixture came in December 2023, as Paulo Mendes and Aeron Edwards made a bright start by scoring a goal each in the opening 12 minutes of the match.

Match Officials   

Referee - Alex Livesey

Assistant Referee 1 - Harry Hendricks

Assistant Referee 2 - Cilan Thomas

Fourth Official - Benjamin Hyla Allan Williams

Referee Observer - Craig Greenstock

Match Updates

We will have limited updates available for this afternoon’s match. Make sure to follow us on our Twitter and Facebook handles to check out our match updates throughout our JD Cymru Premier Championship Conference clash with Penybont!