Newtown were held to a frustrating 1–1 draw against Penrhyncoch in a game where chances came and went, and where goalkeeper Dave Jones produced a man-of-the-match performance to keep the Robins alive.
Newtown had the first real opening in the 14th minute when Tom Jones went close, firing just past the post after finding space in the box. Despite the chance, the overall performance in the first half was sloppy, and Penrhyncoch grew in confidence.
The visitors should have taken the lead in the 42nd minute. Their striker had acres of space and plenty of time to decide what to do as he attempted to round Dave Jones, but the Newtown keeper produced a heroic stop, stretching out a strong hand to deny what looked a certain goal. Just a minute later, Dave was called upon again, reacting well to make another important save.
Newtown responded with a moment of quality in the 44th minute when Ollie Sharp drove forward brilliantly, winning a free-kick right on the edge of the penalty area. Louis Jacobs stepped up and struck a dangerous effort that was heading for the corner, but the Penrhyncoch keeper tipped it behind.
Early in the second half, Jamie Hyne showed great composure dropping deeper to start an attack in the 53rd minute. He worked the ball out to Tom before receiving it back in a move that ended with Louis Jacobs’ shot deflecting behind. From the resulting corner, Hyne went close again, just unable to direct his effort on target.
Newtown then enjoyed a strong spell. In the 57th minute Tom beat his defender cleanly and forced another save, and moments later Fin Starkey-Jones cut inside and launched a powerful strike toward the top-right corner, only for the keeper to tip over brilliantly.
The breakthrough finally came in the 73rd minute and it was superb football from back to front. JoJo Harries fired a perfectly weighted low pass from a goal kick that found substitute Devon Torry, who produced a fantastic turn before driving forward and threading a clever through ball to Jamie Hyne. Hyne struck it first time on his left foot, finishing brilliantly to give Newtown the lead. Just two minutes later, the same combination almost delivered again, with Devon picking out Jamie once more, but this time Hyne fired just over.
Newtown looked to be seeing the game out, but disaster struck in the 93rd minute. Penrhyncoch won a late set piece, and although Dave Jones did well to deal with the initial contact, the rebound fell kindly for the visiting attacker who tapped in the equaliser.
No win in two for the Robins, a long wait until Boxing day where Newtown will face Airbus at home.
