By guest columnist, Peter Ryan

Once again, Penybont fans have the chance to enjoy European football.

Two years on from when FC Santa Coloma came to Brewery Field, the club will have a home European fixture.

This time, fans will have to make the journey up the M4 to the Cardiff International Sports Campus. After a heavy 3–0 loss to FK Kauno Žalgiris, the team have a mountain to climb. Only a fearless, all-guns-blazing performance will do if they’re to spark a miracle.

Penybont

Penybont’s footballing heritage was born from a merger between two teams.

Bridgend Town and Bryntirion Athletic merged in 2013 to form the team we know today. To move forward, Bridgend Town parted with a piece of their past. They sold the Coychurch Road ground to ASDA to make way for progress.

The side debuted in the Welsh Football League Division One in the 2013/14 season and finished third. The following year, they would finish in fifth place. In May 2016, it was time for someone new at the helm. Francis Ford stepped down, and Rhys Griffiths stepped in.

They worked their way up the leagues with relentless consistency and determination, eventually reaching the Cymru Premier. An unbeaten run in the 2018/19 season carried them to promotion. It was earned not just by results, but by relentless consistency.

Penybont have become a consistent presence in the top flight of Welsh football. 2023 marked the team’s first venture into Europe. Second place last year earned another shot. The continental dream lives on.

Last time out

Penybont travelled to Lithuania to face FK Kauno Žalgiris, a side that is at the top of the A Lyga and six points clear. Surrounded by a sea of rival supporters, the Welsh side started brightly, controlling the opening ten minutes.

As the encounter unfolded, the momentum shifted in favour of the home team. An own goal from Gabriael Kircough, along with scores by Gratas Sirgėdas and Damian Pavlović, gave FK Kauno Žalgiris a perfect start to a two-leg battle. Penybont will look to improve their discipline.

A few yellow cards were issued. A second yellow ended Mael Davies’ match early, leaving his side a player down. It wasn’t the result Penybont would have wanted. They will now look to get revenge on Welsh soil.

The second leg

It will be a challenging task to overcome a 3–0 deficit. Yet, Penybont will be hoping the home supporters can be the catalyst for something special.

Knowing what to expect is going to be difficult. One thing is for sure: Penybont need goals. Griffiths’ side will be hunting goals, but that also means there could be opportunities for the opposition.

Penybont are still going into the contest as underdogs. As stated before, there are great opportunities for goals. It’s set to be another big day in Penybont’s history – could they pull off a shock result?

Cup competitions carry a certain romance, where giants fall and belief runs deep. Penybont will be dreaming their story isn’t over yet.

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