Match Preview | Cardiff City vs. Penybont FC
Cardiff City welcome Penybont to Cardiff International Sports Campus in our third pre-season match of the campaign.
The fixture will take place on Tuesday, July 16th, with a kick-off time of 7.30pm.
Opposition Focus | In the Dugout
Penybont’s manager is Rhys Griffiths, who has been in the position since 2016.
Griffiths was a formidable striker in the Cymru Premier Division during his playing career, winning the Golden Boot in seven consecutive seasons.
He was also named Cymru Premier Player of the Year in 2006, 2008 and 2011.
Since taking over as manager of Bont, he led the club to competing in Europe for the first time in 2023.
Griffiths’ men were also runners-up in the Welsh Cup in 2022, losing out to The New Saints at Cardiff City Stadium in the final.
Opposition Focus | Last season
Penybont missed out on a spot in the top six at the end of Phase One of the 2023/24 Cymru Premier campaign, confirming a place in the Play-Off conference.
Competing with Haverfordwest County for seventh spot, Griffiths’ side secured the final European Play-Off position.
Using their momentum in the Play-Offs, Penybont convincingly defeated Newtown in the semi-final, before facing Caernarfon Town in the final.
A 3-1 defeat to Caernarfon in the final at the Oval saw Bont miss out on a place in European competition this season.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | SUMMER BUSINESS
So far this summer, Griffiths has added four new recruits to his side.
Goalkeeper Mike Lewis and midfielder Clayton Green (pictured above) boast a wealth of Cymru Premier experience and are former teammates, having both represented Barry Town United in their careers.
Centre-back Joe Woodiwiss has also joined after most recently representing Merthyr Town.
Following his departure from the Bluebirds this summer, Bont have also added striker James Crole to their ranks.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | KEY PLAYER
Penybont’s talisman is Cymru Premier stalwart Chris Venables.
The striker represented the likes of Aberystwyth Town, Llanelli Town and Bala Town prior to his move to Bont.
Venables was key to Bala Town’s consistent qualification for the UEFA Europa League, as well as winning the Welsh Cup in 2017.
The 38-year-old netted 20 league goals last season, including a brace in Penybont's European Play-Off semi-final win over Newtown.