Nomads suffer narrow defeat to Penybont in 2025 opener

The Nomads were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Penybont at the SDM Glass Stadium on Saturday afternoon as Keyon Reffell’s second-half strike gave the hosts all three points.

It was a tightly contested first half in Bridgend, but a swift counter attack from Bont shortly after the restart proved decisive as Reffell tapped home from close range to give his side the lead.

The Nomads went extremely close to an equaliser deep into stoppage time when Declan Poole hit the crossbar, but the afternoon ended in defeat.

The result now means The Nomads must claim nothing but victory in their final Phase One match against Bala Town to have any chance of reaching the top six.

Team News
Suspensions for Noah Edwards and Jack Kenny saw Billy Paynter make two changes from The Nomads’ defeat at TNS. Dan Roberts returned to defence, while there was a first start up front for new signing Max Woodcock, who joined the club earlier this week.

Penybont manager Rhys Griffiths made three changes from his side’s 2-2 draw at home to Cardiff Met last time out as Clayton Green, Ben Morgan and Owen Pritchard came in to replace Kostya Georgievsky, Nathan Wood and Ioan Phillips.

First Half
It was a bright start from The Nomads in South Wales with Rhys Hughes going close in the early stages as his volley at the back post from Aron Williams’ flew inches over the top.

Max Woodcock then had his first sight of goal in Nomads colours as he beautifully controlled a flick-on from Ben Nash before having his fierce effort saved at the near post by Adam Przybek.

Bont had a glorious chance to take the lead midway through the first half as Kane Owen’s free-kick sailed all the way through to the back post where Joe Woodiwiss had his effort from close range saved by George Ratcliffe.

Ratcliffe was called into action a short while after as the goalkeeper got down low to safely catch Chris Venables’ header from Clayton Green’s cross.

Reffell was next to go close for the home side, but after doing well to meet Owen’s cross, the forward could only guide his looping header over the bar.

Bont were forced into their first change of the match shortly before half-time as an injury to Kai Ludvigsen saw him replaced by Mark Little.

Second Half
The Nomads fell behind nine minutes into the second half as Green’s long ball was brought down by Crole, whose cross into a dangerous area was poked home into the bottom corner by Reffell.

It was an almost an immediate equaliser for Billy Paynter’s side, but after a well-worked move, Poole’s low ball into Woodcock was cleared just in time by Woodiwiss.

Two substitutions arrived in quick succession for The Nomads as Ben Maher and Tyler Berry were introduced in place of Dan Roberts and Aron Williams.

Bont probably should have opened up a two-goal cushion just after the hour mark as Crole pulled the ball to Reffell, who somehow was unable to find an almost empty net from close range.

The match remained tightly contested up until stoppage time where The Nomads pushed for an equaliser.

That equalising goal nearly came on two occasions in the dying stages, but Poole had a volley from a tight angle denied by the crossbar, before Nash had an effort from a long ball into the box saved by the onrushing Przybek.

Nash’s attempt proved to be the last kick of the contest, which meant Bont took all three points.

Match Photos

Match Report by Adam Angerer